International Women's Day event - Ending Violence Against Women

With PNG Justice Catherine Davani, Papua New Guinea   Wednesday 6 March 2013

Podcast available HERE (mp3 format 12MB)

Witch-hunting in 2013. Earlier this month, bystanders, including children, watched a woman be tortured and burnt alive for sorcery, in Papua New Guinea. This is not just an issue for women, it is increasingly recognised for what it is: a threat against democracy and peace.

Justice Catherine DavaniLearn more about the violence, which is taking place in our neighbouring country, from PNG Justice Catherine Davani. Davani has over 28 years of legal experience in Papua New Guinea, and has deliberated on major decisions affecting the political and social lifestyle.

She was appointed as a Judge to the National Court and after 18 years of practicing law, at both the public and private bar, and mostly in the civil litigation area, became the first woman appointed to the supreme Courts of Papua New Guinea in March 2001.

This year, funds raised during the International Women's Day campaign will go towards the Critical Services Initiative in Papua New Guinea.

UN Women launched the Critical Services Initiative in 2011. The Initiative's aim is to achieve universal access for all women and girls who have experienced gender-based violence to a core set of critical services in countries across the globe. Money raised by the Initiative will assist nations in improving the quality of, and access to, critical services. Funds raised by the Initiative will enable nations to respond to violence against women by providing:

•     immediate, free and universal access to key services
•     education ensuring women know where and how to access services; and
•     documentation of cases and regional mapping of key services

Co-presented by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre and UN Women Australia

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