Protect women: O’Neill

WOMEN are not possessions to be killed, mutilated, raped or harmed in any way, says former prime minister Peter O’Neill.
In a statement yesterday, he challenged all Papua New Guinean men to protect women, instead of harming or killing them, as had been regularly happening around the country.
“Raped and murdered, a woman’s dead body found at the Morata swamp (in Waigani, National Capital District) yesterday,” he said.
“Someone’s daughter, perhaps a mother herself, left for dead face down, shoved between two tree trunks, her face bloodied, and her neck hacked. Locals gave her dignity and covered her body with a sheet.
“May 2019: 10 women and five children, mutilated, murdered, probably raped, and tortured before being killed in Hela. We, and the world, were horrified and promised fast action, saying no stone will be left unturned to catch the killers. (But) no justice has come for the killers of these 15 souls.
“Last week, a boy begged in vain for his life against a mob of thugs. Crying out for his mummy as he was hacked to death on the fringes of a tribal war in Enga. The crime was captured by the mob on a mobile phone so the horror could be shared around the world. A little boy dead, and a mother, father and family left to mend their broken hearts.”
The Ialibu-Pangia MP reminded PNG men that “our roles as men is to provide for our families and to protect our women and children”.
“Women are not our possession, and it is not for men to kill or harm women and children in any way.”
He said the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) “means nothing if our human rights lay in tatters”.
“Like you, I am disappointed the way our country is heading. Crisis after crisis of fuel shortage, foreign exchange, riots, cancelled projects, lack of jobs and the high cost of living. I know these problems are having a direct impact on our society.
“But it no excuse to simply blame the violent crime raging around our country on these economic, Government-made crisis. We must not let our country descend and normalise violent crime. We are better than that,” O’Neill said.
O’Neill said while it was okay to be tough, strong and to stand up for what is right, “it is not okay to take another’s life or to rape or to act violently”.
“Talk out your frustrations to your priest or family members. Be peaceful and strong. Be protective and strong. Be strong but do not be a killer or rapist.”
He called on them to “restore peace and reinstate pride as Papua New Guinean men”.