“Kidnapping is not our culture or tradition.” “They kidnapped, held these helpless girls as captives and hostages and then raped them, used sexual violence as weapon and then they ask for ransom again, K40,000 and 10 pigs.” That is from Ms Ruth J Kissam, Chair for Advance PNG –Women Leaders Network. Kissam in a conference this week expressed disappointment and grievance on the recent kidnapping of the 17 girls in Mt Bosavi. She described the ordeal as an act of animal by men who are sick in their heads. Ms Kissam further told PNG HAUSBUNG that amongst the 17 hostages was a young mother who was also taken along with her infant baby whom she could not leave behind, and it was so sad to find out that she was also raped while clinging on to her little baby. “This is happening at their home, the place where you think is safe.” This incident and many other isolated incidents have not been reported, not being heard of is happening everywhere in the country to the women and girls said Ms Kissam. She added that abuse, sexual violence, and rape is also happening in the National Capital District where there are so many police stations, so many police personals and vehicles, yet women and girls are raped in broad day light in NCD. “This disease is nationwide, 55% of our population are broken, and 55% can never step one foot outside of their doors without looking around, always in fear”. Kissam further added that we as a country can never say that we are thriving and we are doing this good, when women and girls are abused, violated, and traumatised in this country. “We are calling on the Prime Minister to prioritize Law and Order, it’s happening in your back yard and its being happening for a very long time to your women and girls.” Kissam emphasized that because Papua New Guinea is also the Prime Minister’s backyard, and the women and children of this country have been broken, abused, raped and held for ransom by domestic terrorists; he must do something about this law-and-order situation, or not have a country to rule. Kissam further called on the Police Minister to come out clearly and make a statement on how this is being handled, and how the Minister is planning on empowering the police men on ground in Hela to carry out their duties. “Let’s put a stop to all the other deals that the government is doing that is not bringing any safety to the women and girls of this country and for the next 6 months let us focus on tackling the law-and-order issue in the country and bring back peace and safety.”