Gender-based violence (GBV)

First GBV national summit

The theme of this inaugural Summit, Now is the Time: United for Equality, has set a marker that all Papua New Guineans are being called on to pursue in their daily lives. 

Opened by the Prime Minister, James Marape, the Summit brings together representatives from Parliament, Government, development partners, civil society, the private sector and most importantly, community members from Papua New Guinea’s 22 provinces, the National Capital District and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. 

A pink beacon in the sky

Manalos Aviation is not only lending a voice to the fight against gender-based violence, but also becoming a beacon in the sky for all to see.

The famous quotation, ‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing’, is still relevant today. And more so when it comes to the evil that lurks behind closed doors.

Manolos Aviation’s trainee pilot, Alexandria Tahirih, says this was the reason why an all-female crew painted their Bell 222 helicopter pink.

‘I want to change for my son’

John, a new father, came forward to seek help in late 2019. He grew up watching violence being perpetrated and the effects of which has impacted his behaviour towards his young family. He said the constant reminders on Bel isi PNG services and awareness on family sexual violence made him realise that he needed help.

“The feeling of responsibility as a man and questioning myself on whether I was doing enough to break the cycle bothered me. I had to accept that my behaviour was not something I wanted my son to learn,” John shared.

Lands dept staff stand against violence

They joined thousands of advocates across the country who have been campaigning for the government to impose tougher penalties as justice for perpetrators of violence.

Minister John Rosso, who joined his staff, said: “We cannot stand and watch as violence unfolds in front of our eyes; we have to speak up and stop it.”

The local MP for Lae, who is the Morobe Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee (FSVAC) Patron, reiterated the government’s stance against all forms of violence, urging staff to speak out and report to police and authorities.

Push for govt action on GBV

They want action against gender-based violence.

Two marches were held today in memory of the late Jenelyn Kennedy as well as those who have lost their lives to gender-based violence.

A large number turned up as early as 10am to show support in the fight against GBV.

Dressed in black, the first march began at the Jack Pidik Park, with protesters chanting: “Stop violence. Justice for Jenelyn Kennedy!”

UN supports calls to end violence against women, girls

These calls come in support of international rugby player and boxer, Debbie Kaore, who was brutally attacked by her partner on Thursday, June 4th.

In PNG, domestic violence is the most common form of violence against women and girls.

The most recent Demographic Health Survey found that 63 percent of women have experienced domestic and sexual violence, and 61 percent have not sought help or told anyone about the violence.

Athlete’s partner charged with grievous bodily harm

He was arrested and charged at the Boroko Police Station on Sunday 7th June.

NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, Perou N’Dranou, said the 33-year-old military officer, Murray Oa, was brought in to the Boroko Police Station on Sunday 7th June by the Military Police, for a formal arrest by the Boroko Family & Sexual Violence Unit.

He has been charged with one count of grievous bodily harm, and remains detained in the Boroko cells.

Oa was arrested and charged after Kaore laid a formal complaint with police on Saturday 6th June.

PM advocates against violence on PNG women

His statement follows the brutal beating of one of PNG’s elite athletes.

Marape said we will struggle to reach our goal of taking back PNG, leaving no one behind and making PNG the richest black Christian nation on earth if the sons of this land do not respect and beat up our women and girls.

“This is not a Melanesian thing, this is not cultural; don’t use those excuses, this is real character we are talking,” stressed the PM.

COVID-19 and GBV

Key concerns for the country include the economic impact of the pandemic and how this will affect the general population.

Senior Research Fellow at the National Research Institute, Dr Fiona Hukula, says equally important is the need to recognise the social problems that may arise as a result of the crisis.

“This includes gender-based violence,” she said in her paper entitled The potential impact of COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable groups.

Cricket PNG tackles issue of GBV

This was made possible by the signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the CPNG Office on January 22nd.

Under this MOU, CPNG will continue to tackle the issue of domestic violence against women and children by: