Address violence together: Ribat

 VIOLENCE against women needs to be addressed collectively and inclusively by churches, individuals, families, communities including relevant partners and stakeholders, Archbishop John Ribat says.

Archbishop Ribat of Port Moresby Archdioceses, who is also the chairman of the Papua New Guinea Christian Leaders Alliance on HIV/AIDS (PNGCLAHA), said the PNGCLAHA was saddened by the reality faced by women and young girls in relation to the different forms of violence they continually experienced within their families and communities. 

He said that cases of violence against women in the country continue to be reported, however, many cases remained unreported due to fear, denial and the unavailability of proper institutions and the gender strategy to effectively address gender based violence and violence against women and young girls.

Ribat raised concerns regarding the recent rape of women and young girls at Morata on New Year’s Eve and reports of rape cases in other provinces and said the perpetrators’ actions showed distorted values of men and boys towards women and young girls and also showed no love for God and their neighbour.

He said continued lack of respect for human dignity and life for women and young girls indicated a society which still had changing distorted value.

He said heads of churches in the country and pastors needed to take ownership and provide effective Christian leadership to advocate against violence through sermons, bible studies and community outreach activities.

“Our preaching and teaching must be directed towards addressing sensitive issues such as violence against women and gender violence which are real issues affecting not only women and young girls but the entire family unit and society.

“Advocacy is part of the outworking of God’s purpose for the world through ‘integral mission’, which describes the interconnection between prayer, proclamation and practical service,” Ribat said.

He urged church leaders and their members to get involved to speak against violence against women as he said the issue is at the heart of the bible where they would find salvation.

He said salvation was about putting things right and restoring things on how God wants them to be for the whole society.