Senior government officials met in Port Moresby on Monday 27th October 2025 to mobilize action against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), asserting that the long-standing crisis demands immediate, institutional ownership and accountability within the public sector.
The meeting, hosted by the Department of Personnel Management Secretary Ms. Taies Sansan, serves as a crucial preparation platform for the upcoming 20 Days of Activism against GBV and the NCD "Redvember" campaign.
The nation’s alarming GBV statistics, which continue to rise despite decades of activism, were front and centre in the discussions.
Secretary Sansan stressed that combating violence is not merely a women's issue but a shared human responsibility.
She focused her call to action directly on the nation’s bureaucracy, urging public servants to lead the change.
"Ending violence is everyone's responsibility.
It is not just a women's issue. It is a human being issue both male and female," Ms. Sansan stated.
"We must all work together to take ownership and make sure our actions match our words."
She also outlined a clear directive for all government agencies: "Let us lead by example. Show zero tolerance for GBV in our workplaces. Uphold the GESI policy and make gender equality and respect part of how we work every day."
She further appealed to development partners to assist in the urgent development of a GBV database with the GBV secretariat, noting the current lack of proper data registry.
Closing her remarks, Ms. Sansan reminded attendees of the global challenge: "The world must end GBV by 2030. We have 5 years to go. The question that is put forward to us is, are we set to achieve this for PNG?"
NCD Governor Powes Parkop, also serving as Chairman of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (GEWE), declared that the fight against GBV is failing because government agencies have not taken ownership of the response strategy.
Governor Parkop noted the persistent high prevalence of violence is a major impediment to achieving national progress.
He pinpointed the solution and mandated policy enforcement across all state entities.
"The government itself is not taking ownership and responsibility for the response strategy to GBV and that is why it is failing.”
“We are not showing leadership. We are not taking ownership. We are not walking the talk," the Governor asserted.
He issued a stern challenge to all state institutions to implement immediate action.
"I want to see in the city all the government departments, state agencies, state owned enterprises, they must take ownership of the strategy, and implement it at the workplace, in the homes, in the community.”
“Make it the terms and condition of employment of all the state employees."
Governor Parkop confirmed that NCDC is already implementing zero tolerance as a term and condition of employment, and this mandate must be extended nationwide.
Furthermore, he announced a personal challenge to all Members of Parliament, including the Prime Minister and Ministers, to sign a declaration adhering to the strategy and saying no to violence.
All the attendees including GESI Officers of various government departments agreed that the upcoming campaigns, including Redvember (where the color red signifies danger and the call to 'stop' violence) and the 20 Days of Activism, must mark a decisive turning point for the country.
