Port Moresby will no longer be a dangerous city to live in.
The National Capital District Commission is committed to making it safe once again for all residents, especially women and girls, by launching the anti-street harassment campaign week.
Observed as a national campaign worldwide on the 8th to the 12th of April, Papua New Guinea, specifically NCD, in collaboration with UN Women, will join in to campaign against street harassment.
The week-long event is a chance for all city residents to stand together in solidarity to raise awareness in their local communities.
“Street harassment is becoming a norm in the city and it is time to claim back the city!”
This was the main message reiterated by youths of the Sanap Wantaim campaign during the launch on Friday.
Street harassment includes unwanted comments or catcalling, gestures and actions forced on a stranger in a public place without their consent and are directed at them because of their actual or perceived sex, gender, gender expression or sexual orientation.
Deputy city manager, Lulu Ted, said NCDC is doing everything in its power to make and create a socially conducive culture and space for all.
“This harassing behaviour is very primitive in this day and age. We want everyone to feel safe and move about without fear of being called names or harassed in our public spaces.”
UN women have been a long-term partner with NCDC in pushing forward the agenda of anti-harassment and safer city.
Ted challenged all youths to stand up against such behaviour and help make residents, especially women and girls, feel safe in their communities.
“Think positively and act responsibly.”
UN Women representative, Susan Ferguson, reiterated the same message, adding that harassment is and should not be normal at all in any city.
“It is warming to see that NCD is setting a trend to end this sort of behaviour already perceived to be normal to some extent.”
As a lead up to the main event on the 8 to the 12 April, the youths will be conducting awareness in schools, main public centres and market areas; mostly focused at locations with a higher populace.
The main event is set to take place at Boroko, Tabari Place, on the 8th through to the 12th of April, 2018.
The general public is encouraged to join in on the anti-street harassment campaign and fight to build a safe and conducive environment for not only women and girls but boys and men as well.
(The Koki bus stop in the nation’s capital)