UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women conduct first fact-finding mission to Papua New Guinea

GENEVA (15 March 2012) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Rashida Manjoo, will conduct her first official fact-finding mission to Papua New Guinea from 18 to 26 March 2012. 

"During my visit I will look at violence against women broadly, studying the main manifestations, causes and consequences of violence against women in the family, in the community, violence that is perpetrated or condoned by the State, and violence against women in the transnational sphere," Ms. Manjoo said.

The Special Rapporteur will meet with government authorities, and representatives of civil society in Port Moresby, Goroka, Kundiawa, Minj and Buka. She will also visit shelters and detention centres, and meet with individual victims of gender-based violence.

A press conference on the initial findings of the visit will be held at the Public Information Centre, Deloitte Tower Ground Floor, Douglas Street, Port Moresby on Monday 26 March 2012 at 13:00 h.

Based on the information obtained during the visit, Ms. Manjoo will present a report with her final findings and recommendations to a forthcoming session of the Human Rights Council.

Ms. Rashida Manjoo (South Africa) was appointed Special Rapporteur on Violence against women, its causes and consequences in June 2009 by the UN Human Rights Council, for an initial period of three year. As Special Rapporteur, she is independent from any government or organization and serves in her individual capacity. Ms. Manjoo is also a Professor at the Department of Public Law at the University of Cape Town. Learn more, log on to: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/women/rapporteur/index.htm

For more information and press inquiries, please contact:
In Port Moresby: Christina Saunders (+675 321 28 77 / +675 715 59 980) or Gabriela Guzmán Garza (+41 79 444 43 32)
In Geneva: Thierry del Prado (+ 41 22 917 92 32 )