Bougainville women take to the streets

 ABOUT 600 women in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville took to the streets of Buka town to show that they were fed with violence against women.

The women for the past two days had converged on Buka town to show their support for the national haus krai protesting violence against women.

Former deputy speaker of the Autonomous Bougainville government Francesca Semoso said the turnout by women was very good.

She said the event began on Tuesday which she described as “a powerful night of ongoing singing, sharing and empowering” among 330 women present.

Semoso said the event continued yesterday with a march led by police. Women carried placards saying enough was enough and to end violence against women once and for all.

District court magistrate Bruce Tasikul and the police station commander and non-government organisations representatives gave speeches at the forum at Belisi grounds.

Semoso was impressed with business houses and citizens who responded to the appeal for donations of tents, canvases, lights to help set up the haus krai.

The event was also a time to remember the late Helen Rumbali who was beheaded last month and her sister Nikono and her two daughters who were held captive in Bana, South Bougainville.