Public urged to help end violence against women

The public has been urged to stand up and help end all forms of violence against women by participating in the Walk Against All forms of Violence Against Women and Girls in PNG.
The Community Development Department is organising the walk tomorrow morning to mark the International Day for the Elimination of all forms of Violence Against Women.
The day is observed on Nov 25.
The event, sponsored by private sectors including United Nations Development Fund for Women (Unifem) and the Community Engagement Unit of Law and Justice Sector, begins at 7am tomorrow at the Boroko police station in the nation’s capital and will end at the Sir John Guise Stadium where speeches and other activities will take place.
“Violence against women including rape, incest, battering and many more are crimes against half of humanity.
“They are violations of human rights of women, yet they are being tolerated,” deputy secretary for community department Molly Willie said.
“We need to address the issue of violence in our country seriously, it is not only for women but men to take up and stand up against such acts in order to make Papua New Guinea a better place for women and children,” she added.
Willie thanked the private entities like PNG Ports Corporation, Coca-Cola Amatil, PNG LNG and Esso Highlands Ltd including PNG Sustainable Development Program, Unifem and LJS for contributing to the total of K80,000 for the event and invited everyone to participate.
She said the walk aimed to raise awareness on the issue that violence against women was no longer a private issue but now seen as a public crime.
“The department cannot address the issue of violence against women on its own but needs the support of everyone to achieve violent-free community for all women,” Willie said.