IN 1995, Papua New Guinea ratified the UN convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW). In so doing, the government made a commitment to ensure women of PNG would not be denied their human rights because of gender-based discrimination.
Part of this commitment includes an obligation to act with due diligence to ensure that gender-based violence against women is prevented, investigated and punished, whether the perpetrator is a State official or a private individual, and that reparation is provided to victims.
A decade later, Amnesty International spoke to women throughout the country, who are still waiting for the government to deliver on that commitment.
Although recent comprehensive data does not exist, all available evidence and Amnesty International’s own research indicate violence against women at home and the community is pervasive, and in some regions, affects most women’s lives.
The threat of gender-based violence, particularly sexual violence, affects women’s ability to move freely in the community, to use public transport, to access health and education, and, to travel to market or to the workplace.
The threat and the reality of gender-based violence mean that fear permeate many women’s existence – with the home a place of risk and not refuge.
The threat and the reality of gender-based violence continue to damage the physical and mental health of women across the country, who live with permanent injuries and scars, both seen and unseen.
The issue of violence against women is not new.
Recently, the Minister for Community Development Dame Carol Kidu, together with women representatives from churches, non-governmental organisations, youth groups, voluntary organisations, etc, presented their grievances to the Government.
Concerned citizens also supported what they were doing because it was for a good cause for our future generation and us today.
As such, I suggest our Government act to alleviate this cancer in our society. I believe this is one of the big concerns of our mothers, sisters, wives and children.

Ronny Knox Angu
Goroka