The National Capital District Commission (NCDC) under the leadership of Governor Parkop, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), hosted a High-Level dialogue to continue pressing the need for action. This dialogue themed: The Time is NOW – Stop Gender-based Violence in PNG, as held at the National Parliament on Monday 24 August.
The event included Members of Parliament, Ministers and senior officials from around the PNG. The event showcased NCDC’s current gender-based violence prevention strategy with the aim to build a coalition for action on at national level.
Speaking on the issue, Governor for NCD, the Hon. Powes Parkop said, “This violence is a stain on Papua New Guinea. Women and girls face the threat of violence, harassment, bullying and sexual assault every day. We have neglected this issue for far too long. Government has underfunded services, efforts are poorly coordinated and often lack the expertise to support those impacted. Enough is enough, the time is now to end gender-based violence.”
The high-level political dialogue was supported by UNDP under its Rapid Response Facility. UNDP has been working closely with the Governor, civil society and development partners.