SANAP WANTAIM: THE NEW NORMAL

[Press Release]

JAY LIEASI, THE PNG U-20 WOMEN’S TEAM, NCDC, UN WOMEN AND CIVIL SOCIETY UNITE TO CREATE A NEW NORMAL IN PORT MORESBY FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS.

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – Today, newly appointed UN Women Youth Campion, Jay Lieasi; the PNG U-20 Women’s National Team; the Honorable Powes Parkop Governor of Port Moresby, Dr. Jeffery Buchanan, UN Women PNG Country Director and youth from organizations across the city stood together to announce their collective vision of new normal in Port Moresby.

The Governor stated, ”Peace is indispensable to the well being and prosperity of our nation at a personal and community level. Women are half the country and when they are able to live and fulfill their dreams in safety, we can have quality lives and secure a prosperous future.  Women's rights are human rights. To be free of violence, fear and harassment is a constitutional right of all, not just a goal for women and girls. Let us take action today to bring back peace in our city, in our streets, in our homes and in our country!”

Susan Fergusson, Counsellor for Gender and Sports (Australian Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade) noted that the campaign was fully supported and funded by the Australian Government and that bringing people together to ensure Port Moresby was a better place for everyone was central to the campaign.

The campaign, SANAP WANTAIM – STAND TOGETHER, seeks to bring men and women, boys and girls, as allies and partners in making the city of Port Moresby safe for everyone. In Port Moresby, youth are an important part of this change. Its core message is that we are all responsible for making this city safe, and a safe city for women and girls is a great city for everyone.

"Being asked to join UN Women as a Youth Champion to make Port Moresby safe for women and girls is truly humbling. The chance to make a real difference in my native country of Papua New Guinea is something I take very seriously and feel deeply personal about.,” said Mr. Lieasi.

“There was no question about our supporting this campaign,” said Ms. Gabong, PNG U20 Women’s National Team Captain “women’s equality, women’s safety is something we feel extremely passionate about.  There is a new normal growing in our country:  one where women will be safe and able to live their dreams.  We want to be part of that positive force driving women and girls forward. This is our future!.”

“We are calling upon the city of Port Moresby to join us – men, women, boys and girls: each one of us has a responsibility to make a difference. We all must embrace the rights of women and girls to claim this city as their own: to walk, shop, travel on buses, go to school, work and enjoy a peaceful quality of life. When the city will be safe for women and girls, it will be great for everyone.” Said Dr. Jeffery Buchanan, UN Women PNG Country Director.