By Loretta B Manele

It is about time that we change the paradigm of our way of thinking, our culture, our customs, tradition, our masculinity and attitudes.

Cedric Alependava, Permanent secretary for the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) made the statement whilst speaking at the Inauguration of the Pacific Partnership Phase 2 and launch of Project Golkipa at the Mendana Hotel yesterday.

The Pacific Partnership Phase 2 to End Violence Against Women and Girls is a regional and multi-country programme focused on promoting gender equality and preventing violence against women and girls in pacific island countries and territories.

He voiced that by changing how we think, our culture, our customs or traditions, our masculinity and attitudes we can change our attitudes and behaviour towards our women and girls and end violence against our women and girls in the country.

Alependava stressed that we need to reduce and put an end to violence against women and girls because it is really affecting the fabric of our family, communities and the lives, education and security of our children and youth.

“But more so, it is really affecting our women and girls”

Alependava said you don’t know the amount of stress our women and girls are bearing.

“I can tell you, too much stress can reduce your immunity system and as such, making you more susceptible to illness, sickness, diseases and even death”

He also shared bible verses of how God made woman from man and pointed out that as woman was made from man and in the image of God, men should see women as God’s image.

“Most of the time, we do shy out to make mention of the Bible verses which are fundamental.

Genesis 1, 26-27.  I’m paraphrasing. God said, and let us make men in our own image after our own likeness and let them have dominion over the creatures of the earth.

Chapter 2, the process of making Eve, Chapter 2, verse 21, 22, 23. He caused a deep sleep upon Adam and took one of his ribs and formed a woman out of the ground and placed the ribs into her and breathed into the nose for the breath of life”

Alependava stressed that if only men and boys could see women as God’s image, we won’t have much prevalence of violence against women and girls.

The permanent secretary also took the opportunity to thank Australia and the European Union (EU) for funding the project.

“I wish to thank Australian Government and European Union. Profound thanks for funding”