20 Days Of Activism
By Journalism student Matilda Ginio
Senior Coordination and Mainstream Officer from the Department of Personnel Management (DPM) was doing the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy made a presentation on 25th of November at the Magisterial Service in Down Town, Port Moresby.
The presentation was organized by the Magisterial Service to apply the GESI policy on the rights of Activism Campaign and advocating for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in Papua New Guinea.
GESI Senior Coordination and Mainstream Officer, Mr. Amugl Mondo said, the day marks the 20 days’ activism against gender-based violence (White Ribbon Day) that runs from 20th November to 10th December.
The premise of the day is to raise awareness of the fact that women around the world are subject to rape domestic violence and other forms of violence.
Mr. Mondo said, the policy emphasize more on promoting fairness and inclusive practices and giving everyone the opportunity to participate fully in all area of development, also given that opportunity for women to be in decision making roles and positions based on merit.
He added that, the lead agency in the public service to coordinate the Public Service Male Advocacy (PS MAN) which comprised of professional male public service officers who were sensitized and undergone relevant trainings to become certified members of the network.
Mr. Mondo also added, that since the outbreak of COVID- 19, emerging data and reports from those on the frontlines, have shown that all types of VAWG, particularly domestic has intensified.
“This is the Shadow Pandemic growing amidst the COVID- 19 crisis. As COVID-19 cases continue to strain health service, essential services, violence cases have sky rocketed, said Mondo.
“More needs to be done as a government, as a department or agency and as public servants to prioritize addressing violence against women. Everyone has a role to play and together we can put an end to all forms of violence happing to our women and girls”.