REPORT ON UN Women PNG 16 Days of Activism 2011
Date:
School Visits
Tuesday, 01st Dec 2011 - Visited 2 schools
12.30 to 2pm Gordon Secondary School.
2.30 to 3.45pm Port Moresby National High School
UN Women PNG Country Programme Manager Dr Jeffery Buchanan presenting a package of ‘Access to Justice’ Publications and a 20 DVD set to the Deputy Principal, Academic of Port Moresby National High School, Mrs Gwaibo
On World Aids Day, UN Women PNG staff visited two schools in Port Moresby: Gordons Secondary and Port Moresby National High School. The UN Women team spoke to the students about violence against women and girls, HIV & Aids, human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment. A number of questions and comments were raised by the students during the Q&A sessions.
Students were particularly keen to talk about domestic violence and community violence, in particular against women and girls and wanted information about service provision and where to seek help if found victims of any form of violence. The UN Women team also talked about the recent Bill on Equality and Participation and the fundamental reasons why having women in parliament is necessary for the development of PNG. Issues of cultural values and practices were raised.
Students noted that bride price for example, is embedded into cultural beliefs and family lifestyles; therefore few people question the impacts these practices have on violence against women. The students were encouraged to be agents of change and to be a part of a generation that can make help create a better country for every woman, girl, man, and boy from Papua New Guinea.