A Better, More Livable City and Country Awaits us When We give Up Violence

A Better, More Livable City Of Port Moresby  and Country Awaits us When We give Up Violence 

Thousands of city residents took to the street yesterday led by honorable Governor of NCD Powes Parkop to begin the 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women (EVAU) at the Active City Develoment Program's Walk and Yoga For Life.

Governor Parkop gave an inspirational speech at the end of the walk.

“The city and entire country is going to enjoy fullness of life when it renounces all forms of violence” said NCD Governor Hon. Powes Parkop.

He said the city and other parts of the country have paid a high price due to violence.

Violence has made people homeless, bankrupt, children fatherless and deprived of their education, wrecked homes, caused deaths and have made streets and suburbs unsafe.

Violence ranged from tribal fights, street harassment, sexual assault, Gender-based Violence, cyber bullying, verbal assault to emotional and psychological violence, he said.

“A better life which is more prosperous, more quality and of high standard awaits us when we give up Violence and start respecting each other and solving our problems in peaceful and honorable way."

Infrastructure developments, improving services and the economy alone will not provide high quality of life for the people, he said. "Having good values and practicing such values in our lives including ending violent habit and behavior is important in the equation to achieving better quality of life and standard of living."

The walk started at 5.30am today at the Murray Barracks and ended at the Niupela Pasin Sea Park Bazaar along the Paga Hill Ring Road.

Puma Energy supported the campaign and donated walkers with red shirts.

Puma Energy's country manager Mr Hulala Tokome said this is the second year they are supporting the walk and they will continue to add their voice to the call to end all forms of violence in the city and entire Papua New Guinea.

While Mr Tokome committed Puma Energy to support the event again next year, he reminded everyone that this should be his or her daily call and demand and, not just a one day call.

PNG Royal Constabulary's Superintendent Delilah Sandeka of Family and Sexual Violence also joined the walk.

In her speech, she shared how women and girls can get help from the police and violence is just damaging at all levels.

Active City Development program has dedicated the whole month of November to amplifying the call and demand to end Violence in PNG with their Redvember campaign.

This call is highlighted in all aspect of the Program but more so in the every Sunday Walk and Yoga for Life component of the Active City Develoment Program.

The program also partnered with the United Nations, UPNG Medical Students faculty, Magna Carta PNG, UN Women Sanap Wantaim Campaign and many women’s and youth groups in the city.

The ACDP Redvember is part of the United Nations Secretary-General’s call to UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women campaign marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence (25 November to 10 December 2020) under the global theme, “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!".

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