Defenders of GBV sought apology

WE, the front line defenders of Gender Based Violence and all forms of human rights violation and law and order in the community throughout the highlands, demand an apology and an explanation from National leaders for their ‘non show’ at the recent highlands regional mens forum on GBV held in Mt Hagen.
The no show by the Minister for Community Development, Western Highlands governor, his administrator, the northern command police commissioner, secretary for Justice and Attorney-General, the director for National AIDS Council and the arch bishop of the Catholic Church in Mt Hagen, is a massive slap in the face of those of us who work tirelessly to prevent violence in the communities we serve without being paid.
The ‘no show’ at such important meeting of highlands community leaders on the GBV agenda demonstrates your disagreement and lack of support from the governing authority to reduce crime in society.
Your actions have now placed our mind in turmoil and you can expect a certain degree of reduced interest among volunteers on crime prevention in our society. We also demand an explanation from the venue management for their disrespectful removal of community leaders, provincial community development officers, child protection officers, village court magistrates, reserve police, non-government organisations advocates, pastors and leaders who make it our business to protect crime against women and children.
We had leaders from Enga, Southern Highlands, Western Highlands, Jiwaka, Chimbu and Eastern Highlands at the forum.
However the premature disruption of the conference did not allow us to discuss the issues dealing with GBV and making recommendations for improvements to protect the lives and properties throughout the Highlands communities.
We feel that the Government and the churches call for improved advocacy on crime prevention among genuine volunteers has no substance when national leader have no interest in our contribution to law and order in society.

Gerard Saleu,
NDCM in PNG