Peaceful Protest March calling for Action Against Gender-Based Violence in PNG
A peaceful protest march calling for action against Gender-Based Violence will be staged today in parts of the country, in light of the brutal killing of 19-year old Jenelyn Kennedy.
In Port Moresby, the protest started at the Unagi Oval this morning, with women wearing black and holding banners taking the lead.
The march was under heavy police escort.
The protest follows days of public outcry, calling for Bhosip Kaiwi, the prime suspect of the killing of Jenelyn Kennedy to be put behind bars and current laws to be strengthened.
Kaiwi is currently being remanded at the Bomonana jail isolation facility, where he's required to be self-isolated and quarantined for 14-days.
The family of the late Jenelyn continues to call for justice, and for law enforcers to carry out an independent and impartial investigation.
The nation has been following closely developments surrounding this case.
A vigil will also be held tonight in Port Moresby, with all men and boys encouraged to attend.
This event is being organized by the PNG Man Up group, which was established to honour Jennelyn's death and other victims and survivors of violence.
A member of the group and former Chief Migration Officer, Solomon Kantha said the 'PNG Man Up' initiative is a call to action for all men, who share the same concern on gender-based violence.
The public encouraged to wear black and bring along their phones or torches to light the sky during a minute of silence.
Those invited to attend and speak during the night include Prime Minister James Marape, Police Minister Bryan Kramer, Health Minister Jelta Wong, NCD Governor Powes Parkop and Jenelyn's grandfather.
An online petition calling for current laws to be strengthened has already received more than 5,100 signatures.
NBC News / PNG Today
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