Sir J: New Ireland ready to address GBV issues

NEW Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan says his government is ready to support women and address gender-based violence (GBV) in the province.
Sir Julius received a GBV petition presented by women from the Tikana local level government at Government Legislative Assembly Building on Friday.
“Equip police and courts with resources and adequate funding for them to carry out their functions, enact the Vagrancy Act, remove settlements in Kavieng town,” the petition said.
“Build safe houses for victims of GBV, equip office for council of women, support provincial council of women.
“Appoint women’s rep at the LLG level as stipulated by LLG laws, and build proper market in Kavieng for women to sell their produce.”
Sir Julius said that he had a plan to fight GBV at the sub-national level by promoting gender equality in the province with the full support of the members of the legislative assembly.
His government was also working on the Vagrancy Act which would be enacted and would not be restricted to New Ireland if they broke the law, he said.
Sir Julius had acknowledged women leaders for addressing the issue and would work in partnership with them to control violence in the province.