Corporate houses and affiliates of Bel Isi PNG, joined in to support the Walk to Eliminate Violence Against Woman, Gender-Based Violence and Abuse on Woman and Children, which was held this morning at the Konedobu Oval in Port Moresby.
Among the distinguished guest panel was Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Santos Foundation, Jodie Hatherly, Managing Director of Steamships, Rupert Bray, and Country Chair for Santos PNG, Leon Buskens and the National Capital District (NCD) Governor and Chairman of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee, Powes Parkop, who were there to witness and led the walk.
“This morning I just want to amplify that we need to put forward attention into addressing violence against women, all forms of violence and I want to call upon everyone to equally put attention to promoting gender equality.”
“On behalf of the city and the permanent parliamentary committee on gender equality, women empowerment (GEWE) and sorcery accusation related violence (SARV), I want to commend Bel Isi and all its affiliate members, especially all the corporate staff who turned up this morning for your commitment to take action to end violence against women and equally to address the wider gender-based violence.”
“Despite all of our efforts (to spread awareness), the rise of GBV and violence against women still remain high in our country, even so that some are going deep into the Sorcery Accusation Related violence.”
The governor stated that everybody needs to do their part in this cause, commending the corporate affiliates of Bel Isi PNG and the Santos Foundation for leading the way. He added that on his part as the chairman of the committee, he would push to get the government to walk the talk on preventing gender-based violence in the work force.
“You all are doing well in the corporate center, enforcing code of ethics so that the work places are free of violence against women.”
He further added that there were symptoms of inequality and the lack of parity between men and women and the parliament through the Committee has made that statement very clear.
“We have dropped the reference to GBV to shift our attention, energy and resources to promoting equality and women empowerment.”
“Ultimately, everybody respect each other as men and women, boys and girls and we will reduce violence against women and gender-based violence.”
Meanwhile, there was a total of twenty-five companies and organizations that were affiliated with Bel Isi PNG, Santos Foundation and Steamships that supported this walk. They include PNGAus Partnership, FemiliPNG, Business Coalition for Women (BCFW), Bank South Pacific, G4S, NCDC, Air Niugini, Brian Bell Group, Westpac, Total Energies PNG, PNG LNG, UNDP, Buk bilo Pikinini, DT Global, The World Bank, Australian Awards, Easy Skill and PNGFM.