Sanap Wantaim campaign

Here in the nation’s capital, the Sanap Wantaim Campaign group in collaboration with a number of non-government organizations supported by the National Capital District Commission office commemorated the day at the Waigani Central, ‘Stop N Shop’ car park.

An outdoor stage was set up; alongside tents housing the different NGO’s with the general public invited to visit the stalls and collect informative brochures and pamphlets.

The theme for this year is “Youth building Peace.”

From February 22 to 25, more than 200 urban experts and community leaders from all continents including Port Moresby will gather in Mexico City to share evidence-based approaches, tools and best practices to make urban public spaces safe and empowering for women and girls. 

This platform provides participating cities a unique opportunity to exchange lessons learnt, good practices and build strong partnerships.

A photo contest was also announced last October to boost support towards the launch of the “New Normal” in Port Moresby.

Contestants were encouraged to write a piece of less than 250 words to accompany the photo.

The following are the winners of the Photo Contest; Imelda Wangi Wavik, Fabian Bongai, Olivia A'torea Fabila, Johnetta Lili and Paula Walo.

Their pictures promoted a scene where women and girls are respected and feel safe to be able to claim the public spaces of the city as their own.

This is to rally residents to sign orange hands that signify their promise to do their part to make the city safe for women and girls.

The youth-driven solidarity campaign, Sanap Wantaim, is co-funded by the Australian Government and National Capital District Commission (NCDC) and is part of the UN Safe cities program.

The aim is to bring together men and boys, women and girls, to make Port Moresby a safe city.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop says everyone has a role to play in making our city a safe city for women and girls.

As a result, resources for initiatives to prevent and end violence against women and girls are severely lacking.

UN Women and NCDC in a collaborative effort to honor the International Day to end Violence Against Women and Girls will sign orange hand pledges to make Port Moresby safe for Women and Girls.

On November 25, as part of the International Day to End Violence Against Women and Girls, Governor Powes Parkop and Dr. Jeffery Buchanan, UN Women Country Director will lead a walk of youth and civil society organisations.

The concert will take place on the 2^nd of December.

This is to celebrate those who are standing together at the vanguard of a new normal in Port Moresby; one where women and girls are safe, respected and able to live their lives with dignity and independence.

The concert is part of the Sanap Wantaim Campaign that calls for men and boys, women and girls, from all walks of life, to conceive and implement ideas and activities that will embrace their role in making the city safe.

He said removing the culture of violence is critical to the social, economic, political and all aspect of development in PNG.

“We start from Port Moresby and change our culture nationwide,” Governor Parkop said.

He made this comment after the launching of the campaign, Sanap Wantaim (stand together), last week.

The campaign’s objective is for men and women to see each other as partners in making Port Moresby a safe city to live in.

Parkop said violence is an impediment to the development and personal wellbeing of individuals.

Corresponding with the launch of the “Sanap Wantaim” campaign launch last Friday, a photo contest was also announced to boost support towards the launch of the “New Normal” in Port Moresby.

The contest is open to everyone. However, the picture must promote a new normal where women and girls are respected and feel safe to be able to claim the public spaces of the city as their own.

Contestants are encouraged to write a piece of less than 250 words to accompany the photo.