A Coalition of PNG Provincial Governors demanded the national government to deploy international law enforcement support and committed to implementing strategies to combat gender based violence (GBV) in their provinces.
In a meeting led by Grand Chief Sir Peter Ipatas and hosted by NCD Governor Hon. Powes Parkop on August 26, the governors discussed the catastrophic impact that GBV is having on the country and agreed that violence against women and girls is the single greatest violation of human rights in the country and impediment to development.
“Governors bears the responsibility of speaking for the women they represent – and the women they represent have a right by the constitution of the country to equality of opportunity and a life without violence.” - Hon Powes Parkop, Governor of NCD
The August 26 meeting was a direct follow up to the “High-Level Conference on Gender-Based Violence” held in Port Moresby at Parliament Haus on Monday 24th August chaired by the Hon. Governors Powes Parkop and Alan Bird
Sharing his NCD GBV Strategy, Governor Parkop said that just being a woman or girl in the country, means living a life filled with risk and harassment, diminished opportunity and forced silence. Governor Parkop continued by saying that as Governors, the group bears the responsibility of speaking for the women they represent – and the women they represent have a right by the constitution of the country to equality of opportunity and a life without violence.
Sir Peter said GBV had become a crisis in the country. He added due to lack of police investigation and prosecution, most GBV cases go no-where. Governor Ipatas further stated he was confident all other members of parliament will support the agenda advocated by Governor Parkop.
Summary of Coalition GBV Resolution
They Parliamentary Coalition Against GBV commit themselves to the following actions:
To come together and collectively establish the first ever Coalition of Parliamentarians against GBV.
To pursue this agenda at all levels including to reform our own behaviour and that of the institutions we lead, and to be role models to our colleagues, associates, staff, families, and communities and hold each other accountable.
To support the implementation of the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence (2016-2025); and to properly resource it and ensure the National Gender-Based Violence Secretariat is established and operational.
To adopt and implement strategies to seriously address GBV in our provinces and resource them to respond appropriately to the needs of survivors of GBV and work to prevent GBV from occurring in the first place.
Acknowledging the deteriorating situation on GBV in PNG, we call on our fellow parliamentarians and the executive government to bring in international assistance to support our law enforcement agencies as an emergency measure to combat GBV.
To share results on what is working and what is not, to be accountable and to inspire and encourage each other by reporting back in November 2020 our results and progress, and there after on an annual basis.
To collectively join forces and lobby for the political will at the highest level.
In attendance: West New Britain Governor Francis Maneke, Enga Governor Grand Chief Sir Peter Ipatas, NCD Governor Parkop Parkop, Oro Governor Gary Juffa, East Sepik Governor Allan Bird, Hela Governor Philip Undialu, Southern Highlands Governor William Powi and Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu,
Source: PNG Buzz - https://pngbuzz.com/png-news/6409
The feature pic shows Governors in attendance (L-R): Southern Highlands Governor William Powi, Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu, Enga Governor Grand Chief Sir Peter Ipatas, NCD Governor Parkop Parkop, West New Britain Governor Francis Maneke and at back row: Oro Governor Gary Juffa & East Sepik Governor Allan Bird. Credit: NCDC
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