Men warned to exercise more restraint

PRIME Minister James Marape has warned men in PNG to exercise more restraint and understanding to avoid domestic conflict in relationships.
“While sometimes women may be in the wrong, it is us men who have the greater responsibility of caring and walking away from situations (that may escalate) violence,” he said.
“When you walk away, you prevent yourself from getting into trouble.”
He said during a vigil for domestic violence victim Jenelyn Kennedy in Port Moresby last Thursday that people should break the cycle of domestic violence.
He said ending violence “doesn’t require money, Government budget support or additional laws” but order and respect in families.
“To every young men out there: you may be high and mighty, you may be powerful, but the law is an equal playing ground. You break the law (and) it will catch up with you,” he said.
He thanked Kennedy’s family for refusing to accept any form of compensation for her death.
“Sometimes we allow customary obligations to take precedent. So let me thank the Kennedy family for standing up to what is right,” Marape said.
“Jenelyn’s family’s example must be a lighthouse that stands in the middle of many crisis situations.
“Let’s say no to compensation, no to the wantok system, and not to take cover under the shade of customary and traditional obligations. Violence must be subdued by proper dispensation of justice.
“Jenelyn’s death is not the first. She joins many sisters who were left in similar situations. We equally must pay respect.”
Marape said the paying of bride price did not mean men owned their spouses.
“You pay bride price as a sign of gratitude towards your spouse’s family and it does not mean that you own her,” Marape said.