By Annette Kora – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Marking International Women’s Day, an open panel discussion was hosted in partnership with the European Union Delegation to PNG and the University of Papua New Guinea addressing the theme “Think equal, build smart, innovative for a change.”
The panel discussion presentation served as a platform for joint activities with guests from the National Government, the University of Papua New Guinea, European Union and NGO’s to take part in an interactive discussion.
The discussions addressed issues that PNG women face by recognizing four thematic subtopics; Gender equity, empowerment for woman & girls, areas of protection & social justice, including access to basic public service & sustainable development. Measures for improvement and advancement of these focal areas were also highlighted.
Head of Delegation for the European Union to PNG, Ioannis Giokarakis – Argyropoulos said it is the European Union’s intent to partner with PNG to bring about change in line with the sustainable development goals (SDG’s).
Concluding the panel discussions was the launch of the European Union Violence Against Woman Campaign which consisted the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the European Union, Media Niugini Limited and the University of Papua New Guinea.
“EMTV is proud to be included in this great partnership with the European Union and UPNG in recognizing violence against women in PNG and the fundamental and universal values of human rights and we’re honored, to be given the chance to contribute to a radical change in mindsets that will ultimately result in the eradication of violence against women and girls in Papua New Guinea,” Media Niugini Limited Acting CEO, Sheena Hughes said.
“These students will be trained and guided through a production process, where they will develop TV commercials from pre-production stage which includes concept creation, brainstorming sessions and then creative strip writing to post-production stage which involves shooting, editing, graphics, animation, sound production and finally special effects.”
The agreement will see the Arts students of UPNG go through EU’s technically-funded assistance through the commercial arm of Media Niugini Limited; EMTEK, for guidance and support towards the practical production of campaign awareness messages and ads for the European Union to help in the fight against violence against women in PNG.
