Gender-based violence (GBV)

Suspects in woman’s hanging apprehended

Port Moresby police detained four suspects, who are now at the Waigani police station. 

The woman was found early Saturday morning (Oct 28) in what the homicide describes as a very suspicious death.

The four suspects were rounded up and will now hand in their statements at the Waigani police station.

Homicide says after the suspects’ statements, the body of the woman will undergo a post mortem.

Meantime, the main suspect in the death of another woman, on the 25th of October, has been arrested and charged for wilful murder.

Don’t just stand and watch!

UN women representative Daniel Winfrey says people who witness or are related in any way to a person experiencing GBV just stand by and do nothing about it.

GBV is everyone’s business – the bystander who witnesses it or who knows but does not take action – is as guilty as the perpetrator.

Winfrey says the bystander has the right to take action and report this matter to the relevant authority, even against the will of the survivor.

Police suspect GBV in women's deaths

According to the homicide unit, four women have lost their lives after allegedly suffering beatings.

Homicide says the late journalist Rosalyn Albaniel Evara’s death was one of these cases that was under investigation. This follows her post mortem on Wednesday (October 25) and burial on Friday.

The other three women, who were all identified to be in their early 30’s, were from East Sepik, Wabag and Simbu provinces respectively.

Evara’s story prompts GBV witness to step forward

The story of the late journalist was that of a person who had endured a life of constant physical abuse, as alluded to by her family and colleagues. It was also a story of a woman who lacked the help and support needed until it was too late.

Speaking to this newsroom off camera, a female relative of a survivor, who wished to remain anonymous, said she had felt obligated to come forward and share her sister’s story and seek help when she read the late Evara’s story.

She said her sister has been enduring a life of physical abuse for over 10 years.

Media’s role in voicing GBV issues

This was the message during the Divine Word University Media Freedom Day celebrations by DWU vice president of research and higher degrees, Professor Fr. Philip Gibbs.

In his speech titled ‘GBV (Gender-based violence): Getting the message across’, he said those giving reports should consider the type of language used, and beliefs and actions desired.

He added that it was not just a matter of exposing the situation to communities, but to find approaches to engage them in ways that make a difference.

​Lihir students gearing for national haus krai

The event will be held at Londolovit Town on May 12.

The National Haus Krai, which is an event held annually to remember victims of gender-based violence and to call for an end to all forms of violence against women and girls, is aimed at raising the issues of gender based violence among young people.

Organising committee co-chairs Shadrich Kwa and Evelyn Kokon, students at the LRC, said they are both excited and are looking forward to hosting the event for the first time.

Gender-based violence hinders women’s potential

Parkop, a strong advocator of eliminating GBV in PNG, says the country could do more on unleashing the potential of women in PNG.

Parkop highlighted that there might be all other reasons but the main reason hindering the potential of women is GBV.

He said that despite all the laws that are in place, the potential for women working alongside men to be equal partners in the development sector, private and public sector is yet to be realised.