Literacy workshop benefits women

By PISAI GUMAR
THIRTY-two literacy volunteers from settlements in Lae have completed a workshop facilitated by the family sexual violence unit.
The workshop was held from April 9-13 and funded by the UN Women for literacy volunteers of Morobe.
Mothers and youths from Bumbu settlement, Butibam, East Taraka, Back Road and the Kamkumung area attended.
Cathy Rimbao from the unit facilitated the training, which covered topics in gender awareness, gender and HIV/AIDS, counselling and mentoring skills, child abuse, rape, bullying in schools and cargo cults.
“There is a serious need for responsible agencies like the education department, police and parents to address this issue critically,” Rimbao said.
“Schools are places of gaining knowledge and skills and not for bullying, fighting or doing evil activities.
“Parents need to be conscious of who their children associate with and educate them to treat school as a crucial part of their lives.”
Participants said gender-based violence was fast breaking up family units and affecting communities.
Group facilitator Willie Doaemo urged youths and mothers to take ownership of the issue, especially to do something to reduce violence against women. 
“We cannot turn a blind eye on this issue because our mothers, wives, sisters and someone you love do fall victim one way or the other and we have to unite to carry out awareness to end violence against women in settlements and villages,” Doaemo said.
Group coordinator Kitake Darius said participants would move into their respective communities and carry out awareness, counselling and collect data on the types of violence experienced in homes, the age groups affected, causes of violence and the origin of victims.
Darius said it would enable them set up target groups in awareness programmes.