Port Moresby’s youths advocated for peace, in celebration of International Youth Day

Press release
For immediate release

More than 500 people joined UN Women Sanap Wantaim Youth Advocates on International Youth Day celebration that called on youths to help build peaceful communities and ending violence against women and girls.

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea — UN Women’s Sanap Wantaim (Stand Together) Campaign hosted a roadshow with other youth organizations at the Stop & Shop Waigani Central Carparks around the theme “Youth Building Peace “on International Youth Day. Sanap Wantaim is a youth-led campaign launched in 2016 to encourage people to join together to take action against violence and harassment of women and girls in public places.

Members of Foundation Crew, a dance group, perform at the youth day celebration. Photo: UN Women

During the roadshow, youth organizations set up booths to share information and showcase their initiatives to create change and contribute to building peace. Other highlights included competitions, a Sanap Wantaim photo exhibition, performances by up-and-coming and talented dancers and crews, and painting of a Peace Wall.

A Sanap Wantaim Youth Advocate explains key messages of the Behaviour Change Campaign to a member of the public. Photo: UN Women

The leader of the Sanap Wantaim Behaviour Change Campaign Team, Bronwyn Kili, noted that Goal 16 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030 is the promotion of just, peaceful and inclusive societies.“Young people can contribute a lot to building peace and they already are contributing,” she said. “This event was an opportunity also to showcase what our partner youth organizations and youths are doing to achieve this goal.”Ms. Kili is also the United Nations Ambassador for the SDGs in Papua New Guinea.

UN Women Deputy Country Representative Adekemi Ndieli told the crowd: “Women and young people are uniquely positioned to drive change for the realization of equality, development and peace in PNG; we must therefore harness their potentials, so that no one is left behind in the push towards achievement of the SDGs by 2030.”

The Sanap Wantaim Campaign is funded by the Australian Government and is implemented by UN Women in partnership with the National Capital District Commission (the city government) and youth organizations in Port Moresby. Partner youth organizations include The Voice Inc., Ginigoada, Equal Playing Field, YWCA, Youth Adolescent Health Club, Yoga Unites, NCD Gender Desk and NCD Youth Desk.

Members of youth organizations and UN Women staff pose for a group photo after the youth day celebration. Photo: UN Women