The United Nations joins many Papua New Guineans to condemn the brutal attack on a woman in Lae.
The UN also condemns such inhumane act on other women in Papua New Guinea and around the world.
Susan Ferguson, the Papua New Guinea UN women country representative, said this yesterday.
Ms Ferguson said acts of such violence around the world, including Papua New Guinea and even in her own country Australia, showed that the country still had a long way to go before women were recognised as equal to men.
“Such violence demonstrates that many men feel they have a right to own a woman, that she is an object to be used, and not a human being with the same thoughts and feelings as anyone else and with the same right to live a happy life.
“It is critical for right minded people in our communities to advocate for changes to these kinds of mind sets.
“This violence needs to stop and perpetrators to be brought to justice. Women and children need to be informed of their rights and feel able to live freely.
“They need to be able to access professional support services.”
Ms Ferguson said the UN knows that violence against women and children is rampant in PNG, and in almost every other country of the world.
“This is why ending violence against women has been incorporated into the Sustainable Development Goals.
Violence against women and children is an abuse of human rights.
“It is an impediment to economic development. If women are not free to travel to schools, health services and markets, how can they earn a living and contribute to the country’s economy?” Ms Ferguson said.
She said the main obstacle for victims coming forward to report abuse and seek help was fear.
Ms Ferguson said UN women and the United Nations system would continue to work with partners to strengthen the support available to survivors of such horrendous family violence.