Tuesday 14 July 2020

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, MP, says violence against women in any form will no longer be tolerated.

He said this today when reiterating his continuing stance against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Family and Sexual Violence (FSV).

“Over the next 10 years, this country must change for the better, to a society where women are free from the shackles of GBV and FSV.

“Women must also be free to walk around at night without fear of being attacked. I urge all men to stand up with me to achieve this milestone.

“To all menfolk out there: Let’s not talk big about developments in the country, if we cannot fix our homes by respecting our womenfolk. Men must stand up now if we want to change this country.

“If there is a problem in a relationship, it is us men who have the greater responsibility to understand and, if need be, walk away.

“Walk away from the problem, down get entangled in it that you bring yourself down to attacking our helpless women and children.

“Simply walk way. Control is within us men – it neither costs money nor requires Government funding. Money is not required to change our attitudes.”

He said, “we men must always remember that we are our wives’ keepers, we are our sisters’ and daughters’ keepers, we must protect them.”

Prime Minister Marape  condemned, in the strongest possible terms, any form of violence, particularly GBV and FSV.

“The Government will look into the existing laws and enactments to make amendments where necessary so, in future, our daughters, sisters, mothers and aunties will be protected if any situation arises,” he said.

“For example, if you are witness to a GBV or FSV case, then you are party to the crime if you do not report it.

“I also stress that once a GBV or FSV case is reported to police, it cannot be withdrawn.”

The Police Ministry has been instructed to immediately establish GBV and FSV counters at every police station across the country, and create separate pathways to address them.”