MeriSeif program launches third bus

The MeriSeif program has launched a third bus to its fleet of PMV buses today at the Gerehu Market.

The launching also commemorated the Sanap Wantaim program, a campaign against violence that has been running in the National Capital District (NCD) for the past three months.

The MeriSeif program is an initiative of the Ginigoada Bisnis Development Foundation in partnership with United Nations Women.

This partnership aims to expand the Port Moresby: Safe City Free of Violence against Women and Girls program, to include safe public transport.

UN Women has developed a comprehensive program to address violence against women and girls on public transport and includes the funding for operating the MeriSeif Bus.

UN under-secretary-general and executive director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, said they aim to increase prevention and responses to violence against women and girls on and around public transport.

Mlambo-Ngcuka said the program links closely to the work they have been doing to make the city markets throughout the world safer.

“We know from experience that when women and girls’ safety is ensured, there is an improvement in a city’s economic, social and cultural wealth,” she said.

Ginigoada Foundation board chairman David Conn was pleased to see organisations working together to benefit the community and thanked UN Women for supporting the initiative.

He also thanked the bus crew for their efforts and the community that saw the project run smoothly throughout the city. He looks forward to expanding the project.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop added that violence will not go away unless everyone works together by making the perpetrator understand that violence is wrong and unacceptable.

(NCDC Governor Powes Parkop with stakeholders of the MeriSeif program in the new bus)

Author: 
Quintina Naime