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Date Posted: Fri, Nov 09 2007, 11:05:04am
PM: I’m ashamed at violence
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare said he was embarrassed senior Papua New Guineans were involved in violence against women.
Sir Michael also told the Post-Courier such violence was a new concept and attitudes must be changed to address this when condemning violence against women
He said: “There are some even very highly educated Papua New Guineans, I am ashamed to say, I am ashamed when women write articles to the letters cursing their husbands.
“This is something that’s unheard of before.
“I would like to appeal to the husbands to reconcile themselves, differences you sort out with your wife. There are ways of doing it.”
When asked about the strengths of the laws governing such violence by husbands, Sir Michael said laws were there, but the character of people should change.
“I think Papua New Guineans should now change their attitude. “We have a big attitude problem in our country,” he said.
He said he saw letters to the editor and editorials by the papers of parliamentarians being silent about it but he said some of them were committed family members.
He challenged violent husbands to reconcile themselves and address the problems at home, adding there were many ways of sorting out a problem rather than resorting to violence.
Giving himself as an example, the father of this nation said there were differences between himself and Lady Veronica but a physical confrontation was not the answer to solving the problem.
Sir Michael said: “The editors have been talking about no support from Parliament.
“There are some of us who are committed to our families. I have five children.
“I am committed to them and Vero (Lady Veronica) and I have married a long time ago and we have been together, we have our differences, but there is nothing like violence in our family.”
He said he condemned violence against women and called on husbands to respect their women partners and sort out differences in a peaceful way.
“I would like to appeal to the Papua New Guineans, let’s set examples, good family life is very important,’’ he said.
The Post-Courier has published a series of reports documenting serious domestic beatings.
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