Papua New Guinea Welcomes UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed for International Women’s Day

The celebrations centered on the launch of the Spotlight Initiative to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. The launch took place in Port Moresby’s Gordons Market, a marketplace revitalized with support from UN Women to be a safer place for female vendors. The delegation arrived at the market on the Meri Saif bus, a female-only public transport service that enables women to travel free from violence and harassment. While on the bus she interacted with female market vendors and community women.

In speaking to vendors, project partners, and the public at Gordons Market, Ms. Mohammed spoke on the issue of violence against women, stating that “enough is enough,” she said. “It is not a sign of strength to raise your hand against a woman. It is a weakness.”

“Everyone is expected to benefit from the Spotlight Initiative,” the Deputy Secretary-General added. “We will leave no women or girl behind.” 

Ms Mohammed and her Delegation were joined by European Union Ambassador Jernej Videtič, Deputy Prime Minister Davis Steven and Mary Kini from the Spotlight Civil Society Reference Group.

Launched with a seed funding commitment of €500 million from the European Union, the Spotlight Initiative represents an unprecedented global effort to invest in gender equality and women’s empowerment as a precondition and driver for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Papua New Guinea, the Spotlight Initiative is being implemented with support from UN Women, UNFPA, UNICEF and UNDP. 

During her visit Ms. Mohammed and the Delegation had opportunities to meet with high-ranking Government officials including Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Davis Steven and were hosted at the International Women’s Day celebration by Hon. Patrick Pruaitch, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

Ms. Mohammed and her delegation also marked International Women’s Day by hosting dialogues with women on peace and security and leadership. Women from Bouagainville conveyed the important role of women in conflict resolution and representatives from the Highlands shared the complex effects of tribal conflict and in-fighting on women and the challenges in combating sorceryrelated violence. Repeated throughout these conversations was the demand for more women in  Parliament. 

From Port Moresby the Deputy Secretary-General and the Youth Envoy travelled to Hela where, together with Prime Minister Hon. James Marape and Hela Governor Philip Undialu, they hosted the provincial launch of the Spotlight Initiative, and visited with children in schools and women survivors of violence. Ms Mohammed and UN Resident Coordinator Gianluca Rampolla received from Governor Undialu a contribution to support the UN's new Highlands Joint Programme. This contribution, 10 million kina, marks the first time a provincial government has financially contributed to UN work. The UN through the support of bilateral donors, the peacebuilding fund and the Spotlight Initiative will match these resources with an additional 25 million kina. 

The peacebuilding programme technically led by UNDP will bring together FAO, IOM, UNCDF, UNFPA, UNICEF and UN Women to foster development and peace in Hela and Southern Highlands provinces. 

The Delegation had the opportunity to visit a clinic in Port Moresby to speak with HIV outreach workers who are finding innovative ways to bring life-saving treatment and services to people living with HIV. They also hosted the launch of UN75 for PNG, a global conversation with young people to share their visions of the future with UN decision makers. The UN75 launch was attended by young leaders from across the country who voiced concerns on access to education, discrimination against women and LGBTI+ persons in Papua New Guinea, and the climate crisis which is acutely affecting communities in PNG. 

The delegation also met with human rights defenders, private sector representatives, development partners, civil society representatives, UN staff and government officials. 

Extensive discussions were held with the Prime Minister and numerous senior officials on the Sustainable Development Goals and the support of the UN to PNG. The Deputy Secretary-General also spoke with the Minister for Bougainville Affairs, Hon. Sir Puka Temu, and Minister for Peace Agreement Implementation for the Autonomous Bougainville Government Hon. Albert Punghau. The people of Bougainville voted for independence from Papua New Guinea in a referendum that ran from 27 November to 7 December 2019.