Respect women's rights or else ...
By Zachery Per
"Women, young women and children from all walks of life have every right to
have their dignity and basic human rights respected everyday," said Eastern
Highlands Women's Council president Julie Oso to women, children and men
gathered in Goroka last Friday to mark International Day Against Violence
Against Women.
Taking the opportunity to speak out against violence on the whole, Mrs Oso
said there was too many forms of violence prevalent in our society today.
And the government and other relevant organisations were letting this issue
pass by unchecked, she said.
Mrs Oso suggested that the government inject more funds into helping
non-government organisations which are struggling to help end violence,
instead of spending those funds on building new prisons, courthouses or
police stations.
Mrs Oso also urged politicians, public servants and leaders who were
unscrupulous or engaged in polygamy and "wantok-ism" to repent since they
are role models for the ordinary people.
The gathering was organised by the Goroka-based NGO Family Voice.
Its chairperson Miriam Layton told the crowd that Family Voice Inc was
established last year to address the escalation of the different forms of
violence among families, groups and organisations.
Family Voice also aimed to serve as the mouthpiece of the small family
unit.Outlining the woes that plague the ordinary people everyday, Mrs Layton
spoke about poverty, sexual harassment, rape, fighting, murder,
pick-pocketing, thefts, obscenity, verbal abuse, gambling, alcoholism, and
poor wages. She stress that domestic violence is on the rise particularly
because the rising cost of living was fueling more conflict within families.
What with parents who gamble away the family's meagre income and cause the
children to have no food or education.
"Consequently, the children grow up amid violence and without proper
education for a sustainable future.
"I urge those of you who feel their rights are abused through violence to
consult the Eastern Highlands Family Voice for assistance" Mrs Layton
said.Community leader Auwo Ketauwo who spoke on behalf of the menfolk
pointed out that domestic violence is sometimes created by women when they
selfishly try to dominate the control of the family's affairs.
Women from the Catholic and Lutheran women's group performed drama and sang
songs composed by renowned Goroka songwriters Fedinan Nalle and Andy Kamane.
- Published in The National newspaper, PNG.
- Captions:
ZPRIGHT1 - One of the posters carried by children at the march. The headline
in Tok Pisin says "Please enough of fighting (beating) women". "Fameli" is
"family" ... "pikinini" is "children".
ZPRIGHT2 - "Noken Paitim meri na pikinini" = "No can fight (beat) women and
children".
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