NCD Governor Powes Parkop has reassured the visiting United Nations Under- Secretary- General and UNFPA Executive Director of the NCD’s commitment to improving the lives of women and girls in Papua New Guinea.
Governor Parkop announced the commitment in his keynote address during today’s meeting with Ms. Diene Keita at the Parliament State Function Room.
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Governor Parkop acknowledged UNFPA’s partnership with NCDC to achieve the Amazing Port Moresby 2030 vision.
The Governor appreciated the visit of Ms. Keita, noting that the visit coincides with the ongoing commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence.
“This is a pivotal time in Papua New Guinea and an opportunity to change our narrative. Our young nation has started a journey for the future, and we must think forward of where we want to go and how we can redefine the next fifty years,” he said in a statement.
Governor Parkop outlined the commitments made by the Government, including establishing laws, strategies, and special parliamentary mechanisms to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and allocating K180 Million to implement the GBV strategy.
He emphasized the urgency of transforming the commitments into concrete actions at the district and provincial levels.
Governor Parkop also reiterated the need for stronger economic pathways for women and young people as key strategies for eliminating GBV, noting that when women are economically empowered and have their own incomes, the risk of violence reduces.
Governor Parkop emphasized that eliminating violence against women and girls is a key pillar in realizing development goals. “Growth must also be measured in dignity and the opportunities that women and young people have.
Women, young people and people with disabilities must have a seat in decision-making and be part of the solution”, he said.
Ms. Keita commended PM Marape’s Government and Governor Parkop for exemplary leadership and for championing women’s empowerment, especially in the area of GBV.
“Not only did you launch the National GBV strategy, but you also allocate USD 40million annually towards implementation. This is unprecedented and a shining example to the world”, she said.
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Ms. Keita will be visiting Gordon’s Market in Port Moresby to interact with women entrepreneurs and beneficiaries of ongoing programmes and meet other key stakeholders in Port Moresby and at the national level.