PNG wantoks in USA help women By: Lucy Isoaimo-Irish The heart cry of battered women and those whose lives were tragically taken in Papua New Guinea resonated in Los Angeles prompting action among the PNG community. Heeding the heart cry, members of PNGINUSA, a nonprofit (NGO) organization planned and organized the annual PNG Bung (Gathering) in USA as a means to support awareness and education regarding gender and domestic violence. The gathering not only provided an opportunity for children to reconnect with the culture of their homeland but also give back by raising funds to assist in empowering and protecting women. Speaking candidly at the event, Reverend Stephen Michael Leach, whose Sojourners Ministry ministers daily to the voiceless in the streets shared the need for Papua New Guineans everywhere to rise up and demand justice and end violence against women across the land. Moved by the wantoks’ sacrifice to give back, Reverend Leach said, “I saw the same hope, compassion and determination that I also witnessed within the Women Arise PNG ladies who stood up a few months ago and demanded justice and an end to violence in PNG.” Not only was the heart cry a national issue demanding citizenry action but the cause falls under the core issues for which PNGINUSA was instituted. PNGINUSA President, Akera Moi Akalanana said, “The message we want to send our sisters, mothers, daughters, aunties, and bubus (grandmothers) is that we stand behind them. Wherever, we may be in the world and despite our distance, their pain is our pain, and we stand with them in solidarity and declare that we will not stand for violence against women-period.” The event was one of many under-taken across PNG and abroad as a result of the Women Arise PNG movement beginning with the National Haus Krai in May calling for justice for women and highlighting the need for change. The PNG Wantok community in the United States has been challenged to do more in giving back to women’s issues in the homeland. End.
Posted on: Tue, 06 Aug 2013 00:46:04 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015