Today, spare a thought for our women

Today women around the world celebrate the difficulties and success of women. We in Papua New Guinea should do the same.
Today is International Women’s Day, a time to reflect on the progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communi-ties.
The day has marked the plight and achievements of women for more than a century, with the first informal observance held in 1909.
Since then, it has developed into a formally recognised day by the United Nations and is now celebrated around the world.
There are various reasons this day has become the celebration it is, and why it continues to grow every year.
The advancement of women has been one of the most important achievements of our time.
Another issue worthy of the spotlight is the violence against women which is one of the most persistent human rights viola-tions today.
For Papua New Guinea, while many of us celebrate the success of gender equality in the workforce, the question we should also be asking is if this success does translate right down to our communities.
Some may say it’s a worldwide phenomenon, but here in Papua New Guinea, it is real.
Women should have the freedom to move around freely.
Women in other countries walk around freely without being assaulted or intimidated. The same cannot be said for women in Papua New Guinea.
Why do our women turn their head to see who is walking up beside or behind them and tighten their grip on their bag or purse, pressing it towards their body.
Why do we do that?
As a woman, it is because of the fear of having your bag or purse snatched.
And you are reminded by relatives and friends that for your safety, it is better to just let the perpetrators take it because if they are armed with a knife, screwdriver or gun, they could use it on you.
Why can’t women in Papua New Guinea carry their bags or bilum on their shoulders, walk out of their homes or offices, without worrying about who is behind them or walking towards them?
If this is the scenario we have today, what will it be like for our daughters in 10, 20 years’ time?
Will this sick trend have improved by then or will it be worse?
The plight of our women in rural areas is beyond measure. They struggle to put food out for their family or send their children to school.
We get from news reports stories of women who die giving birth in rural areas because of poor medical support. And we hear of other stories of nighmarish issues facing women all over the country.
It is an endless list.
Unfortunately, there is no record of how many women die every year because data-keeping in the country is poor.
Women are killed during domestic violence and sorcery related attacks and many of those cases go unreported.
So as the world celebrates International Women’s Day, women in many rural areas in the country may wonder what all the fuss is about.
As we make self-congratulatory statements and remarks today, let us also reflect on our women in the rural areas who suffer social and economic pressures and often die violent deaths just going about their everyday business.