GBV can be suppressed: Sir Mahesh

By MICHAEL PHILIP
GENDER-BASED violence (GBV) can be suppressed depending on response and action, City Pharmacy Limited (CPL) chairman Sir Mahesh Patel says.
“The issues depict society and it may not be by choice or chance but it can be resolved with better solutions,” he added.
“CPL Foundation does this by empowering women who stand up voluntarily with no fear or favour to fight against GBV, saving struggling women and girls.
“One of the platforms of recognition given by CPL Foundation is the legacy of CPL Group, the Pride of PNG Awards,” he added.
Sir Mahesh said the awards had recognised more than 70 women who had gone out their way, working tirelessly to serve other women, girls and including men in their communities.
He said one of the categories of the awards aligning with GBV was the Bravery and courage award.
“We have Josephine Durua, a Pride PNG past winner, who is not an highly educated woman but from being a victim of GBV and the experiences she went through has been her motivation to become an outstanding woman in her community,” he said.
“She is a village court magistrate in Port Moresby’s Morata settlement today.
“She runs a small Safe House catering victims of not only GBV but also Sorcery-Related Violence (SRV).
“We also have Alwina Hannah Joku, another GBV victim.
“Her story is like many other women who have suffered various forms of violence.
“However, she is taking a stand against her aggressor, and she hopes that her story can inspire the numerous women who have or are facing domestic violence to rise above their plight and reach out to end violence against women and girls in Papua New Guinea.”
Sir Mahesh said CPL’s nursing stations were currently running community awareness and outreach to women and girls nationwide.
“Women should rise and reach out for help when encountering violence in their home, work, school or community,” he added.