THE Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee (FSVAC) programme coordinator Ume Wainetti highlighted the extent of family and sexual violence on women and children in this country.
Recently, there were several reports of horrendous cases of extreme violence against women.
Men who perpetrate violence on women and children totally disregard respect for human beings.
Our constitution guarantees equality, a decent quality of life and participation in society.
This means that someone cannot take somebody's life or hurt them in any way.
Western province Governor Dr Bob Danaya rightly says that PNG will eventually fall apart if nothing is done to protect women and children from all forms of violence.
As PNG is now experiencing a dramatic increase in family and sexual violence, this clearly shows family units are falling apart in morality and values.
A healthy society reflects stable family units.
The country looks like heading for doom and that would be a disaster as women and children often live with fear in their own homes.
A national response in the fight against violence on women and children must be a national agenda.
The recent petition presented by the Minister for Community Development Dame Carol Kidu to Parliament is the beginning.
The response from the Government on this petition through a bi-partisan approach would establish the framework for the needed national response on violence against women and children.
The national response would pool legislations on violence and abuses on women and children and policy and programme interventions from Government agencies, civil society organisations, development partners and citizens in a coordinated approach towards reducing the prevalence of family and sexual violence in the country.

Alois G. Gaglu
Port Moresby