Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
There was alarm in Papua New Guinea Parliament last week when MPs were told that gender based and sorcery violence was widespread and much higher than reported.
They heard this from Port Moresby Governor Powes Parkop, who presented a damning report detailing the findings of an inquiry into gender based violence and sorcery related violence.
Governor Parkop said stakeholders across the country wanted more action.
"It's increasing," Parkop said.
"We heard testimonies of those in government, private sector and civil society to better understand why are country continues to struggle with ever increasing rates of violence against women and girls," he added.
The governor of Papua New Guinea's National Capital District, Powes Parkop. Photo: RNZ / Koroi Hawkins
"Officials from the National Department of Health shared data with us which showed an alarming rate in the number of people presenting themselves to health services for case relating to violence,
"They advise that this is only the 'tip of the iceberg'; a catastrophic human rights violation alarming for a country not at war."
According to the 2016-2018 Demographic and Health Survey, 56 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 49 have experienced physical violence in PNG, while 28 percent have experienced sexual violence.
One study also found that on average, almost 400 people are accused of sorcery each year, with 65 of these accusations resulting in the accused person being killed.
Health authorities reported to the inquiry that there had been 63,722 cases of physical violence since 2018, and that the number was expected to exceed 100,000 within a few years.
Law enforcement reported that from January 2021 to April 2023, there were 30,028 cases of sexual violence were reported across the country out of which 1304 arrests were made - amounting to 4 percent.
"This is a staggering low conviction rate," Parkop said.
"This is what women and girls and even some men too have to face in our country,
"Going to public spaces is a big challenge for women and girls."
Women in Lae, Papua New Guinea Photo: Supplied
The report proposes 71 recommendations for consideration by the national government, provincial administrations and MPs. Recommendations included establishing gender quotas, such as reserving 22 seats for women in Parliament, developing more effective rehabilitation programmes for perpetrators, expanding the reach of law enforcement, and increasing funding to health services.
Parkop also personally recommended that government restrict anyone convicted of domestic violence from entering Parliament.
"We have the tools, the means, we can make an impact on our people to change their behaviours…to give up violence"
"We are the biggest employer, if we say zero tolerance against violence…it's a term of employment for you that when you come into Government...you can't be employed if you have a tendency to commit violence especially gender based violence."
Parliament supports inquiry
PNG Parliament unanimously agreed to take note of the report following impassioned speeches by four MPs including Prime Minister James Marape.
"The mother of Melanesia is an asset to the society," Prime Minister Marape said.
"She anchors the household, anchors the family, anchors the tribe and anchors the community. Together, this Parliament…why don't we agree and rise up.
"Lets protect our wives and daughters amongst us, in doing this we would secure the future of our country."
PNG Minister of Labour, Kessy Sawang Photo: The United Nations Compensation Commission
Minister of Labour and one of only two women in PNG's Parliament, Kessy Sawang, said Papua New Guinea had signed and ratified international conventions against GBV, but violence against women and children continued to plague the country.
She said the Government had to take the lead in addressing GBV, and that domestic violence affected the whole of society not just women.
"This is not a women's issue this is a basic human rights issue," Sawang said.
"These issues about gender violence, gender equality, women's empowerment - they are not women issues. It is our right to live in a free, fair and just society. We can't be subjected to violence, there shouldn't be any double standard in this country.
"We are the state and it is the responsibility of the state to protects its citizens. We have a social contract with our people to protect our most vulnerable, and it so happens that we women and girls in Papua New Guinea and also the youth…we are the most vulnerable."