In Papua New Guinea's capital, the head of the United Nations Development Programme, Helen Clark, has been briefed on local campaigns against sexual violence, and violence against women and children.
Miss Clark visited the Family Sexual Violence Unit at Boroko police station in Port Moresby, and held a two-hour meeting with the National Capital District metropolitan police commander Fred Yakasa on the issue.
She also gave an address at the launch of PNG's Second National Progress Summary Report on the UN Millenium Development Goals.
The National newspaper reports that Miss Clark highlighted the urgency of the need for PNG to address family violence as well as the escalating HIV infection rate.
The UNDP administrator said violence undermines development and generates instability, and that it would not be eradicated until all people - including men and boys - refuse to tolerate it.
