AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PRESS RELEASE
4 September 2006
Papua New Guinea: Culture and resources no excuse for
violence against women
The government's ongoing failure to tackle
violence against women in Papua New Guinea has resulted in this violence
becoming so pervasive that it impedes national development and contributes to
the spread of HIV/AIDS, according to a new report by Amnesty
International.
"Violence against women is endemic in Papua New Guinea: it
affects the majority of women and girls in some parts of the country. Apologists
for this violence, including in government, cling to tired old excuses such as
culture, tradition or lack of resources," said Purna Sen, Asia Pacific Director
at Amnesty International as she launched the report from the capital Port
Moresby.
"This report shatters those defences. Amnesty International has
researched violence against women across the world, from Sweden to Colombia to
the Solomon Islands -- and we have seen governments invoke the same
justifications everywhere. But there are no excuses -- governments are obliged
under international law to protect women from violence, no matter where, when or
from whom."
Gang rapes, knife attacks on wives, beating and sexual abuse
of girls and torture and murder of female "sorcerers" are among the many forms
of violence against women in Papua New Guinea. The threat of rape, sexual
assault and other violence is so great that women and girls cannot freely move
round their communities, go to school, to the market or to work. The state's
failure to enable women to become safely involved in civil and economic life
severely constrains the full use of resources for national development.
Gruesome stories of torture, rape and other violence against women are
regularly reported in national media. There have been numerous policy papers and
conferences on the subject. Papua New Guinea was a frontrunner among states in
identifying and documenting violence against women
two decades ago -- but
the debate has never been translated into adequate action on the ground. A lack
of political will and the government's tendency to dwell on difficulties and
dredge up old excuses has meant that very little has changed for women in 20
years. Sadly, many women have come to see violence as 'normal' -- as have men,
confident in the knowledge that the state will not act quickly, decisively or
consistently against them.
"The Papua New Guinean government needs to
snap out of its inaction and deliver its responsibilities. Insufficient
resources is not an excuse -- the government must recognise the negative impact
that violence against women is having on the whole population, on the
development of communities and the economy and must prioritise action against
this scourge, making the best use of the funds it has," said Purna Sen.
"It must set up a body to monitor how the state is measuring up to its
obligations under international law, to investigate and to act on complaints of
violence against women. This body must be given enough resources to travel
around the country and to do its job properly."
The police are
underfunded and rarely investigate complaints. They are themselves often
directly implicated in attacks. Almost all the women who spoke to Amnesty
International said that the police regularly sent home those reporting domestic
violence, or 'wife bashing' as it is locally termed, telling them it was a
"family matter".
'Margaret', from Angoram, East Sepik said:
"My
husband took a second wife and I had to live with both of them in my house. When
I came home one day and found everything in a mess, I said, 'this is my house
and you should keep it clean'. My husband broke my nose and hit me with timber
over the back of the head. I went to the police to tell them to arrest them --
they said they would do it but they didn't... I am tired of the police --
they're useless." "The Papua New Guinean government must identify
and eliminate the root causes of violence against women. Gender inequality and
discrimination is supported by customs such as polygamy and bride price, which
strengthens men's belief that they 'own' their wives. The government should
conduct a review of customary laws and practices and swiftly change or abolish
any that discriminate against women," said Purna Sen.
High levels of
sexual violence against women also heightens their risk of being infected with
HIV. Papua New Guinea is facing a growing HIV epidemic, with a reported annual
increase of 15-30% in numbers infected. The social acceptability of violence
against women has been identified as one of the main factors contributing to the
spread of HIV/AIDS. Women at most risk -- those whose partners have multiple
wives or who travel a lot -- often say they have no control over the use of
condoms and cannot refuse sex.
Women human rights activists in Papua New
Guinea have long been at the forefront of efforts to prevent violence against
women. They do essential work offering shelter, counselling, or legal advice to
survivors of violence, with little or no support from the government.
"Local activists are in effect filling the void left by the government's
failure to address violence against women," said Purna Sen. "The government
should be working in partnership with women activists, not expecting them to
substitute for it by providing services."