MEDIA RELEASE
02 June 2008
For immediate release
AUSTRALIA HELPS IN STRUGGLE AGAINST VIOLENCE
Violence against women and children in Papua New Guinea is a growing concern which the Australian Government, working with PNG partners, wants to do something about.
In presenting a cheque for more than K92,000 to Soroptimist International’s Lae branch on 30 May, Australian High Commissioner to PNG Mr Chris Moraitis said violence against women and children was bad for those involved, bad for families and bad for the economy.
He said the Australian Government contribution would go towards awareness and training programs to assist the victims of violence.
“I strongly support the efforts of Soroptimist International and am confident this money will go a long way in helping to develop relevant programs, including providing training to stakeholders in government, civil society and churches and victim support services to women and children,” Mr Moraitis said.
The donation comes from the Human Rights Small Grants Scheme, an Australian Government program that supports small scale community activities to promote and protect human rights in developing countries.
Soroptimist International’s representative in PNG, Ms Jane Kenni said part of the money would be used to train nurses to recognise and correctly treat victims of violence and abuse so that when a victim is admitted to a clinic they can be stabilised medically and receive appropriate counselling.
Soroptimist International Lae is an emerging player with the core aim of advancing human rights and the status of women. The organisation has been working to promote human rights and gender issues in PNG for the past five years.
Media Inquiries: Francina Thomson, Public Diplomacy Officer, T: 325 9333 ext 276