The first national summit on ending gender-based violence opened was held in Port Moresby from 8-10 November to discuss how MPs, officials and communities can work together to stop all forms of gender, sexual and family violence.
Opened by the Prime Minister, the Hon. James Marape, the Summit brings together representatives from Parliament, Government, Development Partners, civil society, the private sector and most importantly community members from Papua New Guinea’s 22 Provinces, the National Capital District and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Members of Parliament who participated came together to endorse an Outcomes Statement on Addressing GBV, which reaffirmed their commitment to using their positions to tackle GBV and set out a list of specific priorities that they will work on for the rest of the parliamentary term.
“We, the members of the Coalition of Parliamentarians Committed to end gender-based violence have a vision of a Papua New Guinea where all women and girls can fully participate in the political, economic, cultural, and social life with all the rights and privileges bestowed upon them as citizens of our great nation."
Joining the opening of the Summit via video link, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Ms. Amina Mohammed said, “collective and comprehensive action on ending violence against women and girls could not be more urgent.” Ms. Mohammed stressed that this, ‘is the is the kind of leadership the world needs right now.”
The Summit was the latest in a series of efforts driven by a coalition of 20 Parliamentarians who have committed to not only elevate the national response to such violence but pursue actions that level the playing field for both men and women in all areas of life.
One the coalition’s founding members and co-chair of the Summit, the Governor for the National Capital District, the Hon. Powes Parkop said, “The levels of violence being perpetrated against women in our country are amongst the highest in the world. We cannot let this continue. It is destroying Papua New Guinea and is our greatest impediment to achieving our full potential as a member of the international community.”
“The levels of violence being perpetrated against women in our country are amongst the highest in the world. We cannot let this continue. It is destroying Papua New Guinea and is our greatest impediment to achieving our full potential as a member of the international community.” - Hon Powes Parkop, Governor NCD
The Summit was by the National Capital District Commission with the support of the United Nations through the European Union’s global Spotlight Initiative and the Government of Australia.
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