Hundreds join anti-violence march

A CollaborativE effort by like-minded organisations is needed to end gender-based violence, it was stressed during an anti-violence march in Goroka last Saturday.
About 800 people, including persons with disabilities, took part in the march to promote local church and non-government organisation (NGO) support for Papua New Guinea’s 20 Days of Human Rights Activism campaign.
The theme for this year’s campaign is, “Act now to end gender-based violence in the world of
work – lead, speak, support, and action”.
Led by the Catholic, United and Salvation Army churches, participants in the march included members of more than 20 churches and organisations.
Men, women and young people carried placards, posters and banners as they weaved their way from Goroka’s Mambu market to the town square and down to Goroka’s main market, before assembling at the Young Christian Centre Hall.
The march was organised with support of the Australian government through the church partnership programme.
Rev Daniel Paraide, of the United Church and chaplain for University of Goroka, said the Government was committed to protecting all women and girls from all forms of violence.