More than 60 taxi drivers and operators have made commitments to end harassment of women and girls and promote safety in taxis in Port Moresby.
This follows a recent Gender and Human Rights Sensitisation Training conducted by UN Women.
Representatives from taxi companies; Comfort Taxis, Kanny Transport Services, City Loop and individual operators, who attended the training, discussed issues regarding the safety of women and girls in Port Moresby’s public spaces and their role as public transport providers to take action to address this social concern.
UN Women Programme Specialist, Bessie Maruia, said many women and girls in Port Moresby were now using taxis for their daily mobility needs, therefore called on the participants to take up the responsibility to ensure the safety of their female passengers.
Owner of Kanny Transport Services, Wek Kewa, acknowledged UN Women’s commitment to ending violence against women and said it was everyone’s responsibility, not just the development partners, to protect women and girls from any form of harassment.
“These are our mothers, our sisters and we cannot turn a blind eye on this ongoing issue,” he said. “We need to take action as men, and ensure safety of women and girls, not only in public spaces but at homes too.”
The training, funded by Australian Government, is part of UN Women’s Safe Public Transport Project in partnership with the Public Motor Vehicle (PMV) Association, Road Traffic Authority (RTA) and National Capital District Commission (NCDC).
A similar training was conducted for PMV drivers and operators mid last year, who made similar commitments to promote safety of women and girls using public transport services.
(Loop file picture)