By Adelaide Kari – EM TV News, Port Moresby
The Europe Union ambassador to PNG Ioannis Giogkarakis-Argyropoulos has called for more action on Violence Against women and other Gender Base Violence in PNG.
This was said at Human rights Diplomacy Event held today at Haus Ruth Safe Shelter in Port Moresby.
He and other international community heard stories of victims and discus with them how they can help women and children who have been abused.
Several women’shared their stories of how they sought refuge at the Haus of Ruth after running away from abusive partners, fathers and Sons.
EU ambassador Ioannis Giogkarakis-Argyropoulos after hearing the stories of the victims said that it was disappointing because PNG was a country that has experienced a decade of economic growth and development, but has not yet done any serious changes on dealing with violence against women and children.
For one victim she had to run away from her abusive husband who bashed her up regularly and even bashed their son when he was only 3months old.
She had slept from house to houses before finding Haus of Ruth, which she and many other victims call heaven on earth.
Dorothy Koch, who was once a victim and now volunteers at the Haus of Ruth, says the safe shelter has helped more than 5000 victims since it opened its door in 2003. And that for victims who have looked to the law for justice, the legal system is not in the favor of victims.
EU’s ambassador says prevention is better than cure, and the government needs to focus on how to eliminate GBV.
He says that he applauds the government for its efforts, but he says to ensure that something is done, government, the diplomatic community, development partners, international organisation, civil society and the private sector, need to work together.
Abuse of their children was something more important to them and something they all had issues with.
For each story told, stories of how their kids had been molested and abused by the same person they call father arose and the question on why police have not intervene when IPO and reports were filed.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=lf2PC6HI8Gg%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
