Aggressive campaigns, prevention and awareness are needed to address sorcery and witchcraft related violence.
Non-Government Organisations have identified these as vital tools to addressing this issue.
Department for Community Development and Religion confirmed they have funding to cater for this and anticipate increasing the level of awareness nationwide.
The Department’s acting deputy secretary, Jerry Ubase, said the Department is now focused on rolling out more awareness programs this year, thanks to the K10 million budgeted for awareness programs.
He said sorcery related violence is one of the many social agendas that will be addressed through awareness programs in collaboration with development partners and other NGOs.
They hope to educate people on the law and how to respond to cases concerning sorcery related accusations and violence.
Ubase said the Department is heavily involved with other government agencies and NGOs in implementing the Sorcery National Action Plan (SNAP), which is focused on breaking the link between sorcery and violence.
He added the department isn’t involved in such cases but there are referral pathways and some level of assistance the department can provide to address sorcery related violence.
The department made these comments in light of the recent act of violence against an elderly woman in Port Moresby.
The department condemns the act and conveys its sympathy to the family of the victim.
(Loop file pic of the elderly woman who was a victim of sorcery related violence on January 4)