Shame at UPNG, country's premier uni

 News that matter in Papua New Guinea 

 UPNG female students turn up in full force to proest intimidation and harassment in campus.

 Shame at UPNG, country's premier uni

PORT MORESBY: University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) female students rose yesterday in protest of constant intimidation and harassment in their campus.

They demanded better safety and security measures from the management of the country’s premier university.

A group of men, mostly male students, even attacked journalists by throwing stones and hurling abuses at the girls.

Just what will such students grow up to be in society? 

Here is the extensive news coverage of the protest as reported by The National:

Anger on campus

June 9, 2021The NationalMain Stories

SRC vice-president Nancy Paglau. – Nationalpics by KENNEDY BANI

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA and LORRAINE JIMAL
FEMALE students at the University of PNG are fed up with the intimidation and harassment they have been subjected to on campus, and are demanding better safety and security measures. Even during an organised protest yesterday in campus, stones were thrown at them, with a group of men hurling abuses at the girls, witnessed by journalists covering the event. Student Representative Council vice-president Nancy Paglau who led the protest, said the harassment and ill-treatment of girls had been going on for some time and they were fed up. They want the university management to address it immediately. “Many years we have faced these problems and it has come to a point that it has blown out. Our voices must be heard this time,” she said. Paglau said the young women had left their homes to pursue further studies at UPNG and deserve respect. “Show some appreciation and look after them as sisters, daughters in the community,” Paglau said. Vice-Chancellor Prof Frank Griffin said the matter was being handled by the university council. Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Minister Wesley Raminai called on the UPNG administration to impose tough measures to address student discipline on campus, after being briefed by Griffin yesterday. “Any violence against women in our society must be condemned and tough actions taken against perpetrators,” he said. “The last place you expect such abhorrent behaviour to take place is at one of our premier high institutions of learning. “The briefing I received from the VC is extremely disappointing. “I have made it clear to (him) the government’s position towards violence against women: zero tolerance. “Those involved must be exposed and punished.”He said parents and the Government had invested a lot in these high institutions of learning “so our children can excel in their studies and go on to provide leadership for a better society”.“Those who want to be disruptive through drunken anti-social behaviour and be violent towards fellow students, especially females, should leave or be removed by law enforcement.”

University of PNG female students at the forum square at the Waigani Campus yesterday. – Nationalpics by KENNEDY BANI

A female student who had been one of the victims of harassment on campus told The National that they had been subjected to verbal and physical assaults. “Harassment is an issue that most of us female students are concerned with, and we hope that after this incident, proactive measures can be taken to address other underlying security and safety issues here at the university,” she said.
“We would really hope to see an increase in security manpower, plus a police post to be set up here on campus so that criminal offences can be reported to police. “This is important for order and peace on campus.” Physical harassment included the grabbing of breasts and other parts of the female body, forced hugging, swearing and name-calling.

 

Students demand respect

June 9, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By LORRAINE JIMAL
FEMALE students of the University of PNG have demanded an end to sexual, verbal and physical harassment on campus. They staged a protest yesterday led by Student Representative Council vice-president Nancy Paglau who called on the university council to address the issue immediately. “We (have) faced this problems (for years) and our voices must be heard this time,” Paglau said. She demanded that female students be shown respect and be looked after as “sisters, daughters in the community”. She said their own families and relatives looked up to them as their “heroes and champions”. “Many females don’t make it through and those who have come this far must be respected and cared for as the pride of their families.” She demands that the university council deals with the matter right away. Vice-Chancellor Prof Frank Griffin said the matter was now with the university council and that he could not comment on it further.
Paglau thanked those who supported yesterday’s protest and hoped the issue was effectively dealt with so that girls entering the prestigious place of learning would feel safe and comfortable to pursue their studies.

Manning condemns harassment of female students

June 9, 2021The NationalNational

David Manning

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
POLICE Commissioner David Manning has condemned the harassment of female students at the University of PNG, saying it is an “unacceptable situation at a premier tertiary institution”.
He suggested yesterday that the university council discusses with the constabulary the setting up of something such as a Family Sexual Violence Unit on campus to address harassment and other gender-based issues. He urged the female students to report to police any cases of abuse or violence they are subjected to. “To attain a qualification from UPNG has been a source of pride for many young men and women and their families around the country for decades,” he said.
“This institution has produced the best leaders in the government and private sector.  “The respect for this institution and its status must be upheld at all times.” Female students staged a protest on campus yesterday calling on the university council to deal with the issue promptly. Comm Manning called on the university student body to ensure that not only do students get their qualifications but also to be exemplary citizen and ambassadors of UPNG. He said the constabulary would assist the university council to ensure that the campus was a safe and secure learning environment. “I am concerned about the alleged lack of response from university security, and as a parent, I appreciate the concerns of the parents about their children’s welfare and wellbeing,” Comm Manning said. Media personnel were attacked by male students at the university forum square for covering the peaceful protest by the female students. Reporters were verbally and physically harassed and a camera crew assaulted and chased. More than 15 harassment cases have been reported in a month to the university management. The girls are walking in groups to their dormitories. UPNG Vice-Chancellor Prof Frank Griffin said it was a “sensitive issue” which he would rather not comment on. “The matter is now a council matter,” he said.

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