Early in 2026, outreach to South Fly communities to promote the rights of persons with disabilities will be expanded with support from the Australian Government.
South Fly District in Western Province has taken a significant step towards inclusive development with the successful delivery of the inaugural South Fly Disability Forum in December 2025 – one of the first public discussions on Papua New Guinea’s 2015 National Disability Policy and the newly passed Disability Services Bill (2025).
Organized by the South Fly Organization for Persons with Disabilities (SFOPD) with support from the Australian Government, the forum showcased the district administration’s proactive commitment to inclusive development.
Eighty-four participants attended, including community leaders, law and justice representatives; and persons with disabilities from Daru Urban Local Level Government (LLG), and the rural LLGs of Fly Kiwai, Forecast Kiwai, and Oriomo-Bituri.
Government agencies, civil society organizations, and development partners also took part.
Ms. Etha Sisa from Masingara Village in Oriomu-Bituri LLG said that the forum is life changing.
“This forum is a lifeline. It enabled me to connect with others, learn, and share my challenges. More than that, it pushed me to become a voice, a leader, for people with disabilities in my community,” she said.
Participants at the forum discussed barriers across the health, education, and livelihood sectors, calling for greater use of inclusive design to improve accessibility to services in water, health, education, and livelihoods.
SFOPD President, Mr. Tukau Bani, said the forum is a key milestone for people with disabilities.
“It bridged gaps in development and improved collaboration among stakeholders to ensure voices are heard and needs addressed,” he said.
Guided by the PNG Assembly for Disabled Persons and the National Disability Desk of the Department for Community Development and Religion, the Forum unanimously agreed to establish a District Coordination Committee for persons with disabilities (DCCD) to lead and coordinate disability inclusive development in the South Fly District.
Australia remains committed to partnering with the Government of PNG in advancing inclusive development and strengthen governance systems that benefit all citizens – including persons with disabilities.