Women have had enough of violence

Women have had enough! For far too long they have been raped, brutally murdered, robbed, harassed, threatened and treated with total contempt.
Their freedom has long been robbed from them. Their dignity as free citizens of this country long denied and they live in absolute fear for their lives. Now they are standing up for their rights.
The protest march planned for August 26 is their statement to the Government of the day — and all future governments — that the women have suffered enough pain. They are crying out for peace and the chance to live normal lives.
The wave of violent crimes committed against women of all ages in Papua New Guinea over the years is far worse than those experienced by women in any Pacific island nation. It seems the laws protecting women have become obsolete as violence against women rages on like a bush fire out of control.
The time to act is now. We must provide better protection for our daughters and mothers. They deserve to feel secure in their home environment and in their society.
Perpetrators of all forms of crime against women deserve the death penalty. No years in jail can restore the dignity of a woman.
A woman who becomes victim to any form of violent crime is condemned to a life of indignity which can never be explained.
It is time to review the laws to save our women. No man has the God-given right to rob a woman of her dignity and self-respect. What we have seen in PNG over the years — and tolerated by inaction — must come an end now.
We have to show the world that we care for our women. They deserve to feel free to move about in their own country and not to fear anybody. This nation — like any other — cannot progress without the contribution of women. 
We all know that but evil men see it differently. They are the ones who do not deserve to live like free men in the community. 
The women’s protest march is a show of solidarity against a society that has long ignored one of the most serious issues in our time.
We hope our political leaders and the Government will not ignore the cry of the women for help.