Systems crying out for change, says Haoda

 By PISAI GUMAR

THE Women Arise haus krai (house of mourning) in the country is to demonstrate to the government the failure of systems that has led to its citizens being  oppressed and marginalised, a leading women’s advocate says.

A founding member of Women Arise, Lae-based entrepreneur Sarah Haoda Todd said increased brutal killings and rapes against mothers and young women were the direct result of the government’s indecisiveness and negligence to empower youths to participate meaningfully and productively to develop the nation.

“How could the government commit a wrong or crime through death penalty against the wrong doer? 

“That’s illogical and a knee-jerk solution of short-sighted leadership without initiatives,” Todd said.

She said what was needed was a long-term solution, creating economic opportunity for the citizens to own business instead of job employment only.

The government needed to strengthen its police operational resources and mechanisms, she said.

“How about investing on cultivating land, initiating small agricultural activities, creating and promoting small cottage industries, fisheries, poultry, tourism and many others activities? Train and equip youths with required resources and let them do things for themselves instead of trying to feed them. 

“We should not call for the death penalty but instead call for how to initiate or create opportunities to empower youths, males and females, in rural areas and urban settlements instead of them roaming the streets day and night so that they can tap into small cottage industries.

“The haus krai is purposely for women to cry out and tell the government it’s time to work collectively and get down to rural people’s level to address the reality of pain and suffering endured daily,” Todd said.