Wednesday 25 September 2013

PNG men working to stop violence against women

A group of 30 male PNG public servants have become champions for gender equality under a new program tackling the causes of violence against women.

The men from 19 government departments have volunteered to take responsibility for eliminating violence against women by being role models and activists in their workplaces and communities.

They have signed a pledge recognising that gender inequality is the root cause of violence against women. They committed to advocate for fair and equal rights for women and all people and will form a network to cooperate on changing behaviour.

The Department of Personnel Management has established a network of male advocates across the public service, which is funded by Australia through the Economic and Public Sector Program.

Department Secretary John Kali said men have an important role to play as strong and responsible advocates for helping the reduction violence against women.

“It is time for men to take responsibility for sexual violence, financial and emotional abuse in the workplace and in homes and communities,” Mr Kali said.

“The National Public Service must demonstrate leadership in changing attitudes and behaviours in the workplace, and to the delivery of goods and services.”

The National Public Service is PNG’s largest employer, with more than 91,000 public servants across the country.

“The reach of these public servants will also be reflected in communities across PNG,” Mr Kali said.

The Head of Australian Aid in PNG, Stuart Schaefer said the advocacy program was an example of the strong PNG leadership and action required to reduce the high levels of violence against women.

“More needs to be done to challenge practices that are harmful to women and better understand the reasons men use violence,” Mr Schaefer said.

“Women need an environment free from violence to be able to fully participate in their communities and economies to contribute to development.”

Mendi District Court Senior Provincial Magistrate Mr John Kaumi is among the advocates who received training by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and signed a pledge to take action towards eliminating violence against women.

“We cannot change the world over night, just as Rome was not built in a day. But it is important that we as agents of change start somewhere. It starts with us at home, with our wives and families, then at our workplaces and then in the society at large,” Mr Kaumi said

The advocates have committed to help implement the National Public Service Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Policy by identifying deficiencies in laws, policies and practices and advocating for change.