MINISTER for Health and HIV/AIDS, Jelta Wong led a walk recently in Kokopo, East New Britain calling for an end to violence against women and girls.
The walk for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls (EVAW) began at Andersons Foodland and ended at Ralum Showground.
‘East New Britain lets end GBV’ was the theme of the program as Minister Wong accompanied by the President of the PNG Family Health Association (FHA) Nellie McLay led an assembly of advocates comprising civil groups, government bodies, schools, church groups to support the campaign.
“We gather here to show our commitment and support to eliminate all forms of violence against women,” Minister Wong said.
Mr Wong asked everybody to think about the importance of family homes as being a place of comfort rather than a crime scene.
He challenged individuals to stop GBV as this is something that has been imported and everybody needs to change their mindsets and now is the time.
He urged those that participated in the march to be ambassadors of GBV and to go out into their respective communities and make awareness that GBV must not be tolerated.
Minister Wong said In Port Moresby alone; there have been seven deaths of women due to jealous boyfriends.
He also raised concerns over school fights that are becoming prevalent among students.
He said this must stop as fights will not accomplish anything.
PNGFHA president Nellie McLay said the increase in GBV issues is evident in the province and county and needs a collective approach of all stakeholders to end the different violence that women and girls face.
“GBV is happening in our homes, schools, work place and community and if there is no political direction on GBV we will not get anywhere therefore the need to address this at the national level,” said Mrs McLay.