Women leaders want support

WOMEN in Hela want to see better support for the survivors of family and sexual violence during a meeting with Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp.
“Women in Hela are important leaders in their communities and I was keen to hear about the issues they faced and their ideas for change,” Philp said.
The meeting was held between eight women leaders and Philp to open the Tari Family and Sexual Violence Unit built through the PNG-Australia Partnership, costing more than K1 million.
Among those who attended were Amon Janet Koriama, president of the Hela Council of Women; Sister Clare Lembo, manager of the Tari Family Support Centre; Sgt Alice Arigo, the officer in-charge of the Tari Family and Sexual Violence Unit; and, Kikita Village Court magistrate Angela Kope.
Women leaders said there was need to increase education and training to help empower women economically to become more effective advocates for change, greater gender awareness among police and other justice officials.