An abusive relationship is better than stigmatisation

Who in their right mind would disallow a young female child from continuing their education at a very tender age of 13 years,  knowing full well that the opportunities for education are first of all;
scarse in the remote areas of Papua New Guinea; education is more of a priviledge than obligation.
That is, even in todays modern context we as Papua New Guineans are priviledged to have an education, due to the governments lack of services to rural areas and in accessibility.
Female children, when born into a family, are marginalised because they are girls and the male child is allowed to continue his education and become the future leader.
While absorbing all the above factors, I shall continue to tell you my story.
This week, I learnt from a women currently studying at an institution in Madang, that she disallowed a young girl to continue her primary education. The young girl was a student who attended a school in the Western province at which the woman is the current deputy headmistress.
Anyhow, the headmistress was asked to deal with a student who had missed a couple of days of school. When the female student had finally come into see the headmistress, she came to the meeting with her father to explain her situation.
The headmistess, Ruth George, began her interogation of Mary Samuel. Mary came to school badly beaten and had a black eye. Mrs George asked Mary who had beaten her. Mary's father immediately pipped up saying that he wasnt the perportrator.
Mrs George immediately asked Mary who had beaten her again. Mary lowered her head in shame and remorse and tried to find the right words to explain to the Mrs George what had happened.
"My boyfriend belted me up," Mary said.
Mrs George was taken aback at the confession that she had just heard and she continued to listened as Mary began to tell of her situation. 
Mary was only 13, she had also just found out that she was pregnant and the boyfriend had beaten her for reasons unknown.
It turned out that Mrs George had decided to terminate the student from continuing her education, simply basing her decision on the stigmatisation of the school students and the small community at Oktedi Mining, in Tabubil, Western province. Mrs George told Mary that her classmates no longer wanted a pregnant girl to attend school with them. She also told Mary that it was her fault that she had got herself into such a situation and that through her wreckless behaviour, that she got pregnant and had unsafe sex. It was also her fault that she was now in an abusive relationship. Is this the kind of attitude we want to have towards our young girls. In parts of Africa, childhood marriages have been a long practiced tradition, and is slowly coming to an end because of the wonderful work of Child Rights activists to stop such a practise. Papua New Guinea is a free and democratic country where we are free to exercise our rights without fear. Or are we? Mrs George was happy to let Mary leave school, and go back to her abusive relationship.
Whats wrong with this pictutre? Several things.
As an educated woman and the head of a primary school from a rural setting. Mrs George has not only, violated some of the clauses of the Lukautim Pikinini Act,she has further marginalised the young girl, depriving her of the right to a better future.
Mrs George has indirectly told Mary that she is better off in an abusive relationship, than have an attempt at rebuilding her life.

A bag of Rice for your Vote!

Things have quietened down since the nomination of intending candidates last week in Madang, but thats not to say that is the end. On the contrary, this is only the begining of more bribery, corruption and the hand out mentality" which Papua New Guineans just cant seem to say no to, politicians and supporters alike. But we will get to that in a moment. In the months, weeks and days, now leading up to the National General Elections, the Electoral Commissions efforts to counter such practices have been to no avail, people are still practicing bribery, in the giving and recieving of money, bags of rice, sugar, flour and alcohol in some instances. The PNG Electoral Commissions catchy slogan is 'Your vote, Our future', with the message that people need to vote to make a difference. In order to vote they need to get registered and have their names appear on the electoral roles in each province. Part of the commissions awareness campaign was also to urge citizens (PNG) not to accept handouts from intending candidates in any form or shape. It saddens me, that we; PNGeans, educated or uneducated, jump to gain what we can, when the opportunity arises.This brings to mind, the discussions I've had of late, of Ethics and Ethical practices. Andre and Velasquez in an artical titled; 'Unmasking the Motives of Good Samaritan' have said that; "Even at our best we are only out for ourselves". This is so true, politicians and more so intending politicians, are only out there to win votes to get into parliament. While, this may be a general statement, I do tip my hat to PNG Leaders that can exercise transparency and hold a true sense of morals and principals that are for the greater good of PNG citizens.
Well I hate to disappoint the Electoral Commissioner, Andrew Trawen, who I'm sure is doing all he can to coordinate this years elections, intending politicians still practice and have the 'Big Man' attitude. 'Big Man or Bik Man' in tokpisin refers to the educated PNG man or woman that has the means to gain the support of other PNGeans (kandre man) either by manipulation, bribery and corruption for self gain.
Just last week Peter Yama was seen handing out cash, bags of rice, sugar, flour and alcohol to supporters and onlookers.
So what does that say about good governance, ethics and ethical practices. This is why we can't continue to rely others to make decisions for us but have the guts to say NO to bribery, corruption and unethical practices. We can vote but thats not enough! Change of attitudes!

Madang town in an election frenzy

Election fever has officially hit Madang town with posters of intending candidates posted on PMV (Public Motor Vehicle) Bus windows, on store walls, on trees, on fences and basically everywhere anywhere you can think of. Frequent users of the 9A bus that usually services people on Nabasa Road and town were stranded yesterday because they were all hired out by intending candidate Peter Yama for his campaign rally yesterday. Since the issue of Writs by Governor General Sir Michael Ogio for nominations of the provinces seven seats.
On a more serious note, intending candidates in this years elections for the Madang province saw the nomination of  three candidates over the weekend. Former Madang MP, Jacob Wama who is running as an independent candidate. You might also remember him as the politician that was arrested for being in possesion of a fire arm and using it. Yes, PNG laws only regulate law enforcement officers to be in possession of weapons.
Another was nominated was former Kurumukari Landowner Association Chairman Toby Bare and Youth-Link director and founder Bryan Kramer. He may well be considered a new kid on the block where politics is concerned, however he is stading for the Madang Open seat. Mr Kramer has been heavly involved in Youth work and development in the province as of late.

By Tuesday this week nomination numbers increased to 15. Of those 15 included were the current MP Buka Goli Malai, Lucy Kiki Buck. She founded Meri Helpim Meri Foundation,  an non-government organisation in Madang.

On Monday, businessman and former Madang MP Stanley Pil nominated for the Madang Regional seat. There are so far nine nominated. That same day five nominated for the regional seat including Sir Arnold Amet and another women leader, Balim Pokpok. Five more on Tueday as well.

Mrs Pokpok, is the sister to retired army colonel Jerry Singirok. If you may recall Singarok was the infamous Papua New Guinea Defence Force Commander during the ever controversial Sandline Crisis. A Karkar Islander as well she is a wantok to Sir Arnold Amet. So the Karkar people are coming out strong.
More norminations are still pouring in, Madang people should have a good selection of leaders to choose from when PNG goes to the polls come June! Vote wisely!

Media Freedom

Today, Divine Word University in Madang joins the rest of the world in remembering Media Freedom Day. A day that pays tribute to all journalists throughout the world in their bid to disseminating information to their audiences without 'fear or favour'. Papua New Guinea is fortunate that journalists practice a very democratic media process and flow of information since its indepence. There was a time when the PNG government wanted to suppress this freedom in the 90's by ammending sections of the constitution to do with the freedom of expression, to regulate media reports on politicians and political affairs. Media freedom in PNG is vibrant and very active in this young nation.
Today, the university will pay tribute to former radio broadcaster and Communication Arts lecturer, Ian Boden. You can read more in a tribute written by Malu Nalu below.

Boden’s is a story that surpasses 40 years in Papua New Guinea, starting as a young Australian Broadcasting Broadcaster in Rabaul in 1964, seeing the birth of the National Broadcasting Commission in 1973, working with a fledgling public service after independence in 1975, working through the dark days of the Bougainville Crisis, starting with a brand new daily newspaper called The National and bringing joy to thousands of people the world over with his writing style, and teaching young Papua New Guineans about journalism until the day he died.

It will also award Martin Namorang, the writer of the Namarong report blog the DWU Communication Award, for embracing new media and publishing controversial issues on his blog. The other reciepient is the community project yumi piksa, and you can follow this on http://www.yumipiksa.org/ktp/wp-content/uploads/KTP-flyer-for-launch.pdf. Ms Joys Eggins also a former lecturer of the DWU Communication Arts department was invited to recieve the award, but wasnt able to attend. She is now, however, furthering her carreer at the University of Goroka, as the assistant manager for the Community and Social Media Center. Congratulations to both reciepients.

Madang to have a Womens Business Club

Ms Rose Parangkei, the President of the Madang Women In Business Club (MWIBC), tells me that the Madang Women in Business Club is working towards launching its chapter on the 27th of May, 2012. The event is schedualed to take place at the Madang Resort. Ms Parankei said that a alot has been happening with the Port Moresby Women in Business Club in terms of personal development and training for women in Port Moresby.
Women in Port Moresby are being assisted by the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) in applying for business names and setting up the necessary docuementation.
She said once the Madang WIBC taps into this network, it can make training and development available to women in Madang.
Ms Parangkei said some of the training that is available through this network, involves gaining the necessary skills for booking keeping, applying for a business name from IPA, managing finances and even having access through small business loans.
The Women in Business Club in Port Moresby already has the backing of the Papua New Guinea Microfinance facility and  the National Development Bank and this will prove useful for intended business women in Madang.
This is definately a step in the right direction, as women in Madang continue to empower themselves.