Cops learn to deal with gender-based violence

By JUNIOR UKAHA
TWENTY-three police officers from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary are now better equipped to deal with gender-based violence in their workplaces after graduating with certificates from a workshop last Friday.
The workshop titled “Gender-based violence and cross cutting issues knowledge sharing workshop for police officers” saw them learn techniques and topics on gender-based violence, drugs and alcohol, sexual abuse, human rights and rights to sexual reproduction, among other cross-cutting issues.
Dr Theresa Lei of the UNFPA said the purpose of the workshop was to impart basic knowledge and skills to participants so they could better deal with gender-based violence issues in their line of duty.
She said the workshop was “tied in with the White Ribbon Day” commemoration and the message was to stop violence against women and girls.
NCD metropolitan commander Supt Joseph Tondop, who witnessed the graduation, urged the officers to be role models in their respective community and barracks and implement what they had learnt.
Six women were among the group that graduated at the closing of the week-long workshop.
The training was funded by the UNFPA and was held at the Hideaway Hotel in Port Moresby.
Lei said a similar workshop was held in Mt Hagen from Nov 14-18.
Participant Sgt Chris Kuia, of the Gerehu police station public safety division, said the training enhanced many skills he had.
“We need some more of these courses to give us more knowledge to do our job better,” he said.
“Many things have changed and some of the things we have just learnt are things we lack,” he said.