Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has called on the men of Papua New Guinea to take responsibility for their families, especially in maintaining healthy relationships with their spouses.
Prime Minister Marape said the foundation of every society, including the Pa- pua New Guinean society, lies in the family, and called on every men in PNG to protect his family from harm.
“The foundation of PNG is the family unit, and our national anthem begins by calling on ‘all our sons to arise’, so I call on all PNG sons to rise up and protect your family including women and daughters,” said PM Marape.
Prime Minister Marape said it was crucial that PNG men practiced good communication between their spouses (whether wives, partners or girlfriends) for better conflict resolution to avoid domestic violence and a better family life.
He said this in light of Member for Ialibu-Pangia, Peter O’Neill’s situation with his partner Lynda Babao taking out a police protection order against the former prime minister last week.
He said, “It is regretful to hear of this situation involving the Member for Ialibu- Pangia.
“This situation highlights the scourge of domestic violence which permeates all areas of our society, no matter class or hierarchy.
“I strongly condemn domestic violence and call on all men of our country: your key responsibility is to protect and provide for your families. Your first responsibility is to care for your children and their mother – not to harm her.
“PNG men must learn how to communicate better with our spouses to avoid confrontations and violence.”
PM Marape also appealed to women who continue to live in a life of domestic violence and its various forms to report the matter to the police and seek help.
“We have a number of NGO facilitates providing support to the Family and Sexual Violence unit of our police department. I appeal to women experiencing domestic violence to report this grievous offence and to seek immediate help. Beginning with an IPO is a good start, and seeking shelter from social family support system or NGOs before this turns fatal.
“Domestic violence should never be accepted as cultural norm. It is an assault of another human being and is, therefore, wrong and illegal,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape said with work going into strengthening the PNG Constabulary and the greater Law & Justice sector, the magisterial services and the two higher courts are now available to process these injustices and women who experience domestic violence must speak up before the situation be- comes too late for them.
The Prime Minister also called on the police to act immediately on domestic violence cases once this is reported to them.