PNG Governor says gender-based violence an epidemic

5:58 pm on 10 March 2017

The Governor of Papua New Guinea's National Capital District, Powes Parkop, says gender-based violence in PNG has become an epidemic.

Powes Parkop, the governor of Papua New Guinea's National Capital District.

Powes Parkop, the governor of Papua New Guinea's National Capital District. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

He said despite efforts to address the escalating violence, the country still had a long way to go.

The Post Courier reported Mr Parkop saying PNG had come a long way but despite this, the full potential of women was not being realised.

Speaking on International Women's Day he said gender-based violence was not a woman's issue but a developmental issue, a human rights issue and a matter for all to address.

The Governor's message to men was that if they don't respect women it showed they were weak.

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