Port Moresby, 24 March 2025 — The National Parliament of Papua New Guinea held a landmark Special Parliamentary Session at the State Function Room to mark National Women’s Day, bringing together government leaders, diplomats, activists, and stakeholders to address urgent issues around gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the elimination of gender-based violence (GBV).
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape and Mrs. Rachel Marape were joined by key ministers, including those responsible for National Planning, Justice, Community Development and Religion, and Police. Women Members of Parliament Hon. Francesca Semoso and Minister for Labour and Employment Hon. Kessy Sawang also attended, alongside representatives from the United Nations (UN), European Union (EU), Japanese and Korean embassies, and the Department for Community Development and Religion.
Governor Powes Parkop, Chair of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Gender Equality, Women’s Empowerment, and GBV, highlighted the gravity of the issue. “We are at a pivotal time where there is an urgency to take real, concrete action to reduce gender-based violence and strive for genuine gender equality,” he said. He pointed to alarming statistics revealing that over 3.5 million women and girls have experienced violence, costing PNG an estimated K18.64 billion annually.
Clemence Kanau, General Secretary of the PNG Trade Union Congress, announced the launch of the “Give Her, Her Space – Give Her, Her Voice” campaign, a joint initiative with the National Capital District Commission (NCDC). Kanau emphasized that empowering women is both a moral imperative and an economic necessity.
Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting women and girls, stressing, “Their safety, dignity, and empowerment are not just women’s issues—they are human issues that affect us all.” He announced that all motions presented during the session were passed, including one designating March as the official annual parliamentary sitting to focus on the status of women in PNG.
In a strong push for greater political inclusion, the Prime Minister underscored the government’s plan to introduce Temporary Special Measures (TSMs) to increase women’s representation in Parliament. “We must ensure that women have a stronger voice in decision-making processes. Temporary Special Measures will be a significant step toward achieving this goal,” he stated.
International partners, including the UN, EU, Japan, and Korea, pledged continued support for PNG’s gender equality efforts. The UN highlighted the success of its Spotlight Project, which has significantly contributed to combating GBV nationwide.
The session concluded with a unified call to action for collective responsibility in building a PNG where every woman and girl can live with dignity, safety, and opportunity. Governor Parkop summarized the spirit of the day: “PNG will be a greater country if men and women, boys and girls work together, lead together, and respect each other.”
The event successfully raised awareness among parliamentarians and the public about the scale and impact of GBV, emphasizing that these are national concerns. The Prime Minister’s leadership in committing to legislative reforms and designating an annual parliamentary focus on women’s issues garnered widespread media attention, amplifying the session’s impact.
Key policy outcomes included immediate implementation of the PNG Trade Union Congress’s two-strike GBV rule for workplaces and reinforcement of government-led strategies like Temporary Special Measures to increase women’s parliamentary representation.
The session acknowledged the tireless efforts of women leading GBV and gender equality initiatives across PNG, marking a significant step forward in the nation’s journey toward a more equitable and safe society for all.