LOCAL DRAMA SERIES RAISING AWARENESS AGAINST GENDER INEQUALITY AND FAMILY SEXUAL VIOLENCE LAUNCHED

Grace Production Cast and Crew with Joanne Ronald, Australian High Commission's First Secretary-Governance and SPSN Program Director Jeremy Syme at the launch.

 A local television drama series, aimed at raising awareness and action around Gender Equality and against Family Sexual Violence launched on November 26 will begin screening in Port Moresby in December.

The drama titled ‘Grace’ is based on the life of 19 year old University Arts Student Grace played by Tina Wesley. In the series Grace is a hard working student from Chimbu who has a dream to be a lawyer - one that takes her to a new school in Port Moresby and overcomes significant challenges to chase her dream.

Director and producer of the series, McPolly Koima from the Chimbu Province said Grace raises concerns about family violence, gender equality, disability and girls rights to education.

“I hope people will love to watch it over and over again, we are advocating for social change. In the film, we portray realities through local scenario’s and actors so the audience can relate to it with the hope that it will lead to change their mindset on how they perceive the issues of Family Sexual Violence, Gender Equality and Girls rights to Education.” Mr Koima said.

The Australian Government provided K474, 300 to community based organisation Tribal Voice Art Link for the production of the series to raise education and ensure Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) issues are highlighted.

First Secretary at the Australian High Commission Joanne Ronalds commended the Director, Producers and the full cast and crew.

“In particular, I commend your bravery and commitment to producing a drama that tackles the very real issues of family violence, disability and gender inequality.

“These are not just issues that are experienced by the fictional characters in the drama – they are issues that impact the lives of too many people - both in Papua New Guinea and in Australia, Ms Ronalds said.

The drama is being launched as PNG and the world observes the 20 days of human rights activism, White Ribbon Day(Nov 25), and the International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women, Human Rights Defenders Day(Nov 25) and World AIDS on Dec 1.

“Promoting gender equality and eliminating violence against women is one of the core priorities of Australia’s aid program – both globally and in PNG. And we are working within partners across PNG to progress this agenda”, said Ms Ronalds.
 

Tribal Voice Art Link have developed 10 television episode addressing Gender Equality, Disability, HIV and Child Protection to be broadcast on Kundu2 Television Services of the National Broadcasting Commission.

Funding for the production of Grace was made available through the Strongim Pipol Strongim Nesen program’s community large grant scheme in 2012.

Watch the trailer here: Grace - Official Trailer 2014: http://youtu.be/1kv5S2Nc8Kw