Papua New Guinean Men gathered for the first time in Port Moresby today to participate in the first ever Men’s Forum.
Elder Philip Vaki of the SDA church blessed the 2-day event while encouraging men all over the country to respect and stand up for women as Christian teachings shared how Jesus did during his time on earth.
“God created woman specifically from a man’s rib to show that woman are equal partners. We must understand our origin in order to address this issue. Jesus was a Women’s advocate and we must follow his example,” he said.
Minister for Religion, Youth & Community Development, Soroi Eoe, said that Gender Based Violence is a development issue that all partners must work together to address.
NCD Governor Powes Parkop described the forum as the missing piece to a jig saw puzzle.
“This is not a women’s issue. It has been a women’s issue for a long time but it has not been the case. Men are the real participants on this issue and it is timely that we involve them on this issue,” he said.
Parkop said women in PNG are being victimised based on their gender. And to bring an end to GBV, people’s attitude must change.
The forum will include panel discussion on the theme of men’s role in addressing GBV.
