GBV counselling services lacking in institutions: Official

COUNSELLING services for gender-based violence (GBV) are lacking in universities and other education institutions in the country, an official says.
Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council chief executive officer Wallis Yakam said counselling services were never talked about in education institutions.
“Gender-based violence can be understood in different opinions, but it can be preventable by all working partners,” she said.
“We are pushing for diplomas or making partners in education for people to take up such courses so that counselling services are provided.”
Yakam was speaking during a forum in Kokopo, East New Britain.
The forum was aimed at strengthening access to counselling services through faith-based organisations and churches.
“With a few of us advocating against gender-based violence, there has never been a support from the Government until recently when women were murdered by their partners and issues relating to gender-based violence got the Government’s attention,” Yakam said.
She said even though issues relating to GBV were always there, GBV was never prioritised.