Life-changing program wins international award

A Santos Foundation's Bel Isi PNG program committed to changing attitudes towards family and sexual violence and supporting survivors in Papua New Guinea has won international recognition for its life-changing impact at the Platts Global Energy Awards in New York.

This program has benefited over 2, 000 people since its commencement in 2018 to the end of 2023.

The Bel isi PNG program is a public-private partnership program that aims to encourage the corporate sector to collaborate with government and civic society, to take a transformative role in changing attitudes concerning family and sexual violence is vital.

Santos Managing Director and CEO, Kevin Gallagher said the Bel isi PNG program is a shining example of the Santos Foundation’s mission, established to address very serious issues of family and sexual violence in PNG and they are proud to see this work being recognized by the wider industry.

“Santos and our Foundation invest US$10 million [K25 million] into PNG communities each year, focusing on health, youth opportunities, community development, and family and sexual violence.

“The Santos Foundation plays a very important role in supporting Santos’ operations in PNG, building stronger communities in the areas where we operate and making a major contribution to Santos’ purpose to provide reliable and affordable energy to help create a better world for everyone,” Gallagher said.

Meanwhile, Two-thirds of women report having experienced some form of physical and sexual violence. Attitudes and attitudes towards any form of family and sexual violence remain a big challenge in PNG.