Press release: Let us celebrate Women’s Rights this Mothers’ Day

Mothers’ Day is an important annual event to appreciate and celebrate the vital role mothers play in enriching our lives, said the head of the United Nation’s Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

“Mothers’ Day celebrates our deep admiration and gratitude for mothers and other women in our communities that raise us, protect us and teach us,” said Dr. Jeffrey Buchanan, Country Representative of UN Women in Papua New Guinea. 

“Mothers’ Day is an opportunity to reflect upon the enormous expectations of motherhood; to care for, nurture, and provide for children and families, for the majority of a lifetime.

“This Sunday, let us honour all that our mothers give us, sacrifice for us, and reflect how we can share the workload equally between men and women.  Respecting women as equals and sharing their vast contributions to families and communities is key to the development of this country,” Dr. Buchanan said.

Throughout the world, women spend at least twice as much time on domestic work than men.  Despite promotions to leadership positions in the workforce, women continue to bear most of the responsibilities for the home, including caring for children and other dependents, preparing meals and other domestic responsibilities.

“Gender equality and women’s empowerment is steadily improving in PNG, however much work remains. For example, last month’s election of the first woman to Chief Superintendent within the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary was a significant step for women’s leadership and representation.  This move challenges gender discrimination and cultures of men as the only decision-makers.  However, this advancement was shortly after diminished by reports of police brutality and domestic violence involving abhorrent uses of force.  It is clear from the recent moves by senior RPNGC members that a culture shift is happening that will encourage greater adherence to human rights generally and in particular for women to be treated with greater dignity.

“Throughout the country, much remains to be done to eliminate violence and to afford all the women of Papua New Guinea their human rights.  All of us play a crucial role in preventing and reducing violence – by respecting women and each other, by condemning violence in all its forms and in all circumstances, and by advocating for change.

“This Mothers’ Day, and every day of the year, let us respect and advocate for each women’s right to a life free from violence.”

For more details, please contact:

Michelle Alexander, UN Women Media and Communications Advisor, E-mail: michelle.alexander@unwomen.org, Phone: 321 9855 and 7030 9437