MEDIA RELEASE
8 March 2007
For immediate release
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY CELEBRATED
Promoting gender equality and changing attitudes towards violence against women is the responsibility of everyone, the Australian Deputy High Commissioner, Ann Harrap, said today.
Ms Harrap made the comments during an event at the Australian High Commission to mark International Women's Day under the international theme of “Ending Impunity for Violence Against Women and Girls”.
Ms Harrap said the Australian Government was working closely with the Government of PNG and other agencies to address the issues affecting the lives of women in PNG.
She said the Australian Government recognised the importance of International Women’s Day and using it to help change people’s attitudes to the status of women in society. The Day can be used to raise awareness about issues affecting women, including their vulnerability to domestic violence.
Ms Harrap said: “Hurting women is bad for women, bad for families and bad for communities, and that includes sexual violence, which fuels the spread of HIV/AIDS.
“Violence against women is never acceptable. Every woman has the right to live and work in an environment that is respectful and free from abuse, violence and fear.”
Ms Harrap also announced that PNG’s Women in Sport Mentoring Program had been awarded funding under the Australian Government’s Australian Sports Outreach Program (ASOP). ASOP provides funding to local sporting programs and has a strong focus on inclusive, developmental sport programs.
She said: “The Women in Sport Mentoring Program encourages female participation in sport by using elite athletes and coaches as role models. The ASOP funding will allow organisers to run a number of workshops this year. It will also help spread the message that sport is about playing by the rules and the same applies outside of sport. Violence against women is against the rules, against the law and against what successful societies are all about.”
The High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr Chris Moraitis, also hosted a function today in Bougainville for Ministers and prominent Bougainvillean women to acknowledge the particular role that women played in the Peace Process.
Media Inquiries: Leigh Arnold, Public Diplomacy Manager, Ph: 325 9333 ext 275, Mobile: 683 9811.