Papua New Guinea commemorates International Women’s Day 2024
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To kick off the 2024 commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD), the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Government, in collaboration with the Ministry for Community Development, Youth and Religion, and alongside the Australian High Commission, United Nations agencies, International Federation of the Red Cross and other diplomatic partners, convened a press conference in Port Moresby to promote upcoming events spanning IWD (8 March) to National Women’s Day (March 24). Participants also reaffirmed this year’s theme “Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress,” reiterating their commitment to invest in and promote gender equality and women’s empowerment across various domains in PNG.
On 8 March in Port Moresby, UN Women hosted a small but significant event gathering more than 100 women from different walks of life – ranging from market vendors to professional women, to students, housewives and survivors of gender-based violence – who discussed various issues and shared personal experiences.
In line with the theme, “Sanap Wantaim na Strongim ol Meri” [Stand together and support women] the aim of the gathering was to celebrate women’s achievements and highlight key challenges that women in PNG continue to face. The roundtable setting gave women an opportunity to raise their voices without fear about what can be done better to protect and empower women and girls and prevent violence from happening. Participants also proposed measures that could be taken by the Government to accelerate progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Several of the women who took part in the roundtable reporting feeling relieved after sharing ideas and issues affecting women in the country especially in cities such as Port Moresby.
“I will go and tell my community that women and girls should be respected and treated as equals,” said one participant from Gabutu in the Moresby South District. Another, from Konedobu said: “equality for women and girls means being confident in the public space and that means supporting other women who are facing public harassment, especially in public spaces, [rather than just] standing by and watching.”
On March 10th, UN Women took part in an IWD solidarity walk organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency in partnership with the Port Moresby Active City Development Programme.
National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop, Minister for Community Development Youth and Religion (DfCDR) H.E. Jayson Peter, Australian High Commissioner H.E. John Feakes, UN Women Country Head of Office a.i Adekemi Ndieli, and other Government officials, development partners, women and girls and men and boys convened at 5 AM at the Sir Hubert Murry Stadium for the 5-kilometre walk ending at Ela Beach.
Representing UN Women and UN agencies, UN Resident Coordinator Richard Howard JR said: “UN agencies especially UN Women is committed to advocating for the full potential of women and girls in Papua New Guinea. This commitment extends to promoting women in political leadership, empowering women in economic spheres, ensuring freedom from violence and abuse, and enabling women to lead peacebuilding efforts in conflict zones. As such, we urgently need to foster a society where women are not merely acknowledged but deeply valued, actively engaged and appreciated across all domains.”
Howard JR concluded with a quote from UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous: “More than 100 million women and girls could be lifted out of poverty, if we finally make the best investment we can: financing gender equality and unlocking its dividends for all. I know that together, it is within our reach.”
UN Women provided t-shirts for the walk, financed the women’s roundtable, and facilitated and financed the travel of a delegation to attend the 68th Commission on the Status of Women in New York from 11–22 March, while working closely with authorities and partners to prepare for the upcoming National Women’s Day celebrations.