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Peter O'Neill 'surprised to hear' PNG child welfare law remains uncertified Peter O'Neill 'surprised to hear' PNG child welfare law remains uncertified
(6 months later)
The prime minister of Papua New Guinea has expressed his surprise to learn a key piece of child protection legislation, which would enable much needed anti-violence measures, has not been certified by his government.The prime minister of Papua New Guinea has expressed his surprise to learn a key piece of child protection legislation, which would enable much needed anti-violence measures, has not been certified by his government.
Prime minister Peter O’Neill addressed the national press club in Canberra on Thursday, just days after a Medecins Sans Frontieres report criticised his government’s inaction on family and sexual violence in the country.Prime minister Peter O’Neill addressed the national press club in Canberra on Thursday, just days after a Medecins Sans Frontieres report criticised his government’s inaction on family and sexual violence in the country.
The report confirmed epidemic levels of violence against women and children from which few had any avenue of escape, and highlighted issues including a lack of safe houses, adequately trained law enforcement, and legislation.The report confirmed epidemic levels of violence against women and children from which few had any avenue of escape, and highlighted issues including a lack of safe houses, adequately trained law enforcement, and legislation.
Related: 'He might track me down and kill me': fleeing domestic violence in PNG | Helen Davidson
It urged the O’Neill government to certify the Child Welfare (Lukautim Pikinini) act which had been passed last year and then stalled without being enacted.It urged the O’Neill government to certify the Child Welfare (Lukautim Pikinini) act which had been passed last year and then stalled without being enacted.
Answering questions from the Australian media after his address, O’Neill said he was “surprised to hear” the Lukautim Pikinini act had not yet been certified.Answering questions from the Australian media after his address, O’Neill said he was “surprised to hear” the Lukautim Pikinini act had not yet been certified.
“I think it has been certified but I will find out why it has not,” he said.“I think it has been certified but I will find out why it has not,” he said.
The act mandates child protection officers to “prevent and respond to violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination against all children”, according to MSF.The act mandates child protection officers to “prevent and respond to violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination against all children”, according to MSF.
It would also enforce a minimum age of 18 for marriage in a country where child brides are common, and allow for the establishment of new safe houses for victims of family and sexual violence.It would also enforce a minimum age of 18 for marriage in a country where child brides are common, and allow for the establishment of new safe houses for victims of family and sexual violence.
However, until it is certified by the Speaker, the regulations needed to implement the measures can not be approved.However, until it is certified by the Speaker, the regulations needed to implement the measures can not be approved.
The MSF report detailed new data from two of its clinics – one in the capital, Port Moresby, and another in the highlands village of Tari – which treated victims of violence. It found 94% of presentations were by women, and 56% of all sexual violence survivors were children.The MSF report detailed new data from two of its clinics – one in the capital, Port Moresby, and another in the highlands village of Tari – which treated victims of violence. It found 94% of presentations were by women, and 56% of all sexual violence survivors were children.
“I have no issue with the report that has been written by the Doctors Without Borders, but one has to understand the complexities about Papua New Guinean societies,” O’Neill said.“I have no issue with the report that has been written by the Doctors Without Borders, but one has to understand the complexities about Papua New Guinean societies,” O’Neill said.
“Women have held a very high position in our society in many parts of the country, but there are still sections of the communities in Papua New Guinea where it is male-dominated,” he said.“Women have held a very high position in our society in many parts of the country, but there are still sections of the communities in Papua New Guinea where it is male-dominated,” he said.
“It is an ongoing problem where we need to change the mentality of our young men and women, and the only way is through education.”“It is an ongoing problem where we need to change the mentality of our young men and women, and the only way is through education.”
O’Neill said in the long term the community must be responsible for how people live and behave.O’Neill said in the long term the community must be responsible for how people live and behave.
He said violence against women and children was “unacceptable” and the government was increasing police numbers and introducing “tough legislation” addressing it. He said his government was “continually increasing funding” to the community involvement sector.He said violence against women and children was “unacceptable” and the government was increasing police numbers and introducing “tough legislation” addressing it. He said his government was “continually increasing funding” to the community involvement sector.
However, Sebastian Roberts, the health department’s family and sexual violence coordinator, told the Guardian in Papua New Guinea the level of resources remained challenging.However, Sebastian Roberts, the health department’s family and sexual violence coordinator, told the Guardian in Papua New Guinea the level of resources remained challenging.
“The commitment is there in terms of paper, but when it comes to funding we have a problem,” he said.“The commitment is there in terms of paper, but when it comes to funding we have a problem,” he said.