Gender Based Violence

Messages such as "for use against drunkards" are written on the paddles, which measure about 40cm (15in) and are more traditionally used for laundry.

Gopal Bhargava a state minister in Madhya Pradesh, said he wanted to highlight the issue of domestic abuse.

He told the women to try to reason with their husbands before using them.

But if their spouses refuse to listen, they should let the paddles - known as mogri and usually used to beat dirt out of clothes - "do the talking", he said.

Savings 'spent on liquor'

Today is your day.

December 10 is observed every year as the international Human Rights Day.

It commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In 1950, the Assembly passed resolution 423 (V), inviting all States and interested organizations to observe December 10 each year as Human Rights Day.

This year, Human Rights Day calls on everyone to stand up for someone's rights!

This has been stressed by Esmie Sinapa, Co-founder of Women Arise Movement PNG.

Sinapa aired this view point in a meeting on Thursday with various women groups, NGOs, government representatives, men and youth to address GBV as an epidemic in itself.

She emphasised that this requires a consensuses approach from everyone and called on government officials not to politicise the issue.

Other women leaders also expressed their views on how best to address the high rate of GBV in the country.

Meeting with respective authorities, various women groups with support of a few men have moved to push for the issue to be seriously addressed at the government level.

The meet today identified the Papua New Guinea National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender Based Violence 2016 – 2025 is yet to be endorsed by the government.

The strategy published in late 2015 was compiled through a concerted effort by all stakeholders, with four objectives, one including prevention of GBV.

The recently launched report on the state of human rights in Samoa revealed 46 percent of women, from ages of 15 to 49, have experienced some form of gender based violence.

This includes physical, mental and verbal abuse.

Suisala Mele Maualaivao of UN Women says the agency has addressed the issue but acceptance and change in the communities will not happen without the support of faith based organisations.

UNESCO's Etienne Clement says violence against women and girls is a violation of human rights.