School head girl urges males to respect females

 By ABIGAIL APINA 

HEAD Girl of the Woolnough Vocational School in East New Britain has called on male students at the school and in the province to appreciate and respect female students.

Doreen Tarere made the call during the national haus krai at the school to speak for girls’ rights.

“I am concerned that if we do not stop or take ownership of this problem and address it now, it will never be safer for us girls and women anymore,” she said. 

“I am sick of hearing men abusing girls in schools and women at homes. 

“This has to stop. Mipela ol meri stap na yupela ol man tu stap (You men are here because of us women).”

Tarere added that abuse happens when males overlooked women’s rights.

She said female harassment was a huge problem in schools throughout the country. Male students have to realise that harassing female students was a bad practice and does not assist in contributing positively in the development of the country.

She said the national haus krai had given her and other female students the opportunity to speak out about their rights.

“God made us out of your rib on your side which symbolises equality for all. If we abide by God’s principles and Word, nothing will go wrong,” she said.