RRI.CO.ID, Jayapura – The Papua Provincial Administration and the Canada Embassy have reaffirmed their strategic partnership to bolster the protection of women and children while intensifying efforts to prevent sexual violence across the region. This renewed commitment seeks to create a more robust safety net for vulnerable groups through enhanced institutional support and cross-sectoral coordination.

Suzana D. Wanggai, Acting Assistant for General Administration of Papua Province, highlighted the significance of this international alliance during a meeting in Jayapura on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. She emphasized that the province cannot address these complex social challenges in isolation and requires the strategic involvement of global partners.

"On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the Papua Provincial Administration received a working visit from the Canadian Embassy, where we discussed continued programs regarding the protection of children and women," remarked Suzana, as quoted by Antara.

The collaboration extends beyond financial aid, focusing on the long-term resilience of local systems. "The support we receive is not only in the form of program funding, but also includes increasing human resource capacity, strengthening monitoring institutions, and coordinating across regional administration organizations, so that program implementation is more effective and sustainable," she added.

This synergy is designed to help local authorities provide more responsive services for survivors while fostering a structured social protection system.

Representing the Canadian Embassy, Second Secretary Arielle Sobhani explained that the visit served as a monitoring mission to evaluate the impact of ongoing initiatives. The partnership, which has spanned several years, continues to prioritize gender-based violence prevention and the empowerment of local communities to provide victim advocacy.

"Therefore, this visit aims to review the achievements of programs funded by the Canadian Administration. It also seeks to open opportunities for strengthening future cooperation with the Papua Provincial Administration and local partners," remarked Arielle.

In addition to protection services, the delegation is pushing for broader impact in public health. "Furthermore, we are also encouraging the development of collaboration in the health sector, specifically training for health workers to support more inclusive services," concludes Arielle. ***