Parkop: Women’s right agenda is not a foreign concept

 The call for attention and further action to Gender Equality and Women’s rights in the country came to the fore this morning during the start of International Women’s Day celebration in Port Moresby’s Sir Hubert Murray Stadium. 

The day was marked days after the conclusion of the second Public Hearing of Gender-Based Violence by the Parliamentary Committee. 

Themed ‘Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable tomorrow,’ Active City Development Program in collaboration with the Spotlight Initiative, UNWomen, NCDC, Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, European Union and CEPA, hosted the celebration with dances, drama and speeches. 

Through the ACDP’s weekly Walk and Yoga for Life, the commemoration events were launched in the city. The day falls on March 8 with more celebrations planned at Ela Beach. The occasion observed strict Covid-19 protocols. 

Speaking this morning, NCD Governor, Hon. Powes Parkop clarified that gender equality and women’s right agenda is not a foreign concept introduced by UN. 

 Governor Parkop said Integral Human Development and Equality and Participation are goals 1 and 2 of National Goals and Directive Principles.

He said these principles and values were embedded in the National Constitution of PNG by the forefathers.

Governor Parkop, a former human rights lawyer before joining politics, made references to specific Sections 32, 36 and 55 which call for right to freedom, freedom for inhuman treatments and right to equality. 

These, he said, form the foundation of the State of PNG, calling on everyone to embrace and make them real for the better. 

During the GBV public hearing, he said health officials told the panel that 58,000 cases were sex and violence related involving women and girls. 

A disappointed Parkop said this shocking statistic from  2018 to 2021 only reflected the kind of attitude many PNG men possess.  

"I am disappointed that we cannot do much or all we can to realise the goals of the State as pronounced in our Constitution," he said.

Carolyne Nyamayemombe, who is the Deputy Country representative for UNWomen, said gender inequality cuts across climate change, Covid and other challenges facing the country and entire world. She added it exacerbates all these problems. 

She also vouched for women and girls who have made significant contribution in the country despite the lack of representation in Parliament, empowerment and decision making process.  

Sharing similar sentiments, Masato Koinuma, Chief Representative for JICA, said gender empowerment and equality is critical for equitable and sustainable socio-economic growth.

-NCDC Press Release