“By Her, for Her Supported by Him” Art Calls for Action on Human Rights
As part of the 16 Days of Activism to end violence against women in PNG and in commemorating the Human Rights Day, the NCD Governor Hon. Powes Parkop officially launched a new Art Project by women only artists in PNG under the “By Her, for Her supported by Him” theme. Today's launch held at Ela Beach (December 13th, 2020) was joined by representatives from UNRC, UN Women, UNFPA, NCDC Management of Active City and Amazing Port Moresby, artists, media, and other partners. This is an interactive art campaign to spread awareness that together, we can end violence against women and girls in PNG. The art initiative is supported through the European Union – United Nations Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls.
During the launch, the NCD Governor Hon. Powes Parkop said, “It is to showcase the potential that women artists’ in our city and country are talented, skilled and they have the ability to show that they can and they are as good as men too. The key message here is, the family starts together as united, which is a strong foundation for the family. And that is the message for the 16 Days of Activism to end violence against women and also for our country too. It is when we are united, respect each other in the family, in the community, in our city and in our country, we can get better; we can prosper; we can have a better quality of life, especially bridging the gender divide!”
Photo: Governor Hon. Powes Parkop (center) officially launches a new Art Project by women only artists themed “By Her, for Her supported by Him” at Ela Beach (December 13th, 2020) jointly with representatives from UNRC, UN Women, UNFPA, NCDC Management of Active City and Amazing Port Moresby, artists, media, and other partners. Photo credit: UNFPA/Fitsum
The NCD Governor added, “In our country, we have a big problem with gender division. As Men, we have more privilege, more advantage, more opportunity, more power, more resources than women. And we can see it in the parliament and at all political levels, in the administrative, business sector, sport, church too. It is mainly in favor of men. So, this mural is depicting that men and women united respecting each other; respecting each other’s’ right; respecting each other’s ability; talent and potential will give us a great future!”
Photo: The Governor Hon. Powes Parkop thanks each female artist, including Ms. Winnie Weoa (Right). Photo credit: UNFPA/Fitsum
He thanked each female artist, including Ms. Winnie Weoa, who is a person with a disability. He stressed, “Winnie's disability does not limit her. She can run organizations; she can do as good as anyone else. She is an example of what most think is a limitation, which is not a limitation to her. She has drawn amazing arts in addition to this mural.”
In his conclusion, he called on, “It is time for us now to promote and maintain unity, peace and respect each other. Especially men, boys respecting women and girls; making and bringing our country together to be one, to be united, to face challenges together and overcome them.”
Photo: The Governor invited everyone to take part by taking a selfie to post and tag @UNFPAPNG Facebook and @unfpa_png Instagram pages. The best photo selected with descriptions about what women’s rights in PNG means, wins a prize! Photo credit: UNFPA/Fitsum
For continued engagement, we have created a social media competition #ByHerForHer #SupportedByHim and would like to invite everyone to find the murals and take a selfie to post and tag @UNFPAPNG Facebook and @unfpa_png Instagram pages. The best photo selected with descriptions about what women’s rights in PNG means, wins a prize.
Every December 10th we celebrate Human Rights Day, held each year on the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year, a year fraught with so much difficulty including a devastating pandemic, we must promise to our families and communities that we will do better. Let us embrace human rights, each of us, and not just in our laws and declarations, but in committing ourselves to uphold them in practice in our daily interaction with those around us.
Let us seize this day and the days to come.
Learn more at
- Website: png.unfpa.org
- Facebook: @UNFPAPNG
- Instagram: @unfpa_png
Press Contacts:
Wanpis Ako, PR Manager NCDC: +675 79283609
Fitsum Habtemariam, Communication Specialist: +675 70160165, ftesfaye@unfpa.org
