PORT MORESBY: Violence has marred a rare #MeToo protest in Papua New Guinea’s capital with angry male counter-protesters disrupting proceedings and attacking media, spurring calls on Wednesday for a police investigation.
Hundreds gathered at the University of Papua New Guinea Tuesday to protest sexual harassment and the abuse of women on campus, carrying banners reading “It Ends Here”.
Gendered violence is rife in the country, where the UN has estimated that two-thirds of women experience some form of domestic abuse.
A group of men disrupted the march outside the university’s library and attacked several journalists, although there were no reports of serious injuries.
The men reportedly objected to the march and believed the media was interfering in a matter that should be resolved behind closed doors.
University chancellor Robert Igara said on Wednesday it was unclear if the men were students and called for them to be identified and reported to the police.
Igara also said the university would take steps to improve the safety of female students and staff on campus.
Until legal reforms in 2013, domestic violence was rarely investigated.