UNFPA strongly condemns the torture of four women in Porgera, Enga Province. This incident follows the torture of five women in Enga which was reported in January. We understand many other sorcery accusation related violence incidents around the country go unreported. 

“Teachers have a responsibility for our future generations,” said UNFPA Country Representative Marielle Sander. “They should not only be teaching the national curriculum, but they should be demonstrating the values and behaviours we want for our children. It is of great concern if our teachers believe in sorcery and engage in such violations of human rights.”

UNFPA reiterates the call to end impunity for sorcery accusation related violence in Papua New Guinea. “In January, we shared our condemnation of the torture of five women in Enga Province. We have not received information that those responsible were arrested or that all women were found and received treatment.”

“In the instance of these teachers and public servants in Porgera, the perpetrators are known to police and they must be held to account.”

As we commemorate International Women’s Day on March 8, this horrific human rights violation is a stark reminder that there is more work to be done to protect our mothers and daughters from violence and hold all perpetrators to account.