4.4.4 Papua New Guinea PNG comprises of six hundred islands with over 800 known spoken languages, with an estimated population of just over 7.3 million, comprised of 85% living within rural areas and 15% living in urban areas. As documented in a 2012 Report, 96% of the population of PNG identified themselves as Christian, with the remainder holding indigenous or other beliefs. However, it is noted that the majority of citizens integrate their belief in the Christian faith with indigenous beliefs and practices. Due to the indigenous nature of PNG, the country is one of the most culturally diverse places in the world, with several thousand communities divided by language, custom and tradition. PNG has a prevalence of tribal violence, predominantly fighting over land disputes. Women in PNG endure some of the most extreme levels of violence in the world. In a Human Rights Watch (HRW) 2015 World Report, they document PNG to be of the most dangerous places in the world to be a woman, with an estimated ‘one 70% of women experiencing rape or assault in their Belief in witchcraft is prevalent in PNG and the violence associated lifetime.’ with WAP is horrific. Whilst witchcraft in PNG is often attributed to causing unexplained incidences and deaths, the prevalence of HIV within the country, spread by high levels of rape, polygamy and infidelity only exacerbate accusations of WAP, as women are often accused of spreading HIV via witchcraft. Due to the largely patriarchal nature of many communities, women in Papua New Guinea have very low social status. As a consequence, gender-based violence is prevalent throughout the country. This is validated by the UNDP, who ranks Papua New Guinea 135th out of 148 countries on the Gender Inequality Index. Witchcraft (sanguma) killings in Papua New Guinea, particularly within the remote and vast Highlands region, are on the increase and as observed by the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, authorities the capacity to prevent and investigate ‘lack crimes relating to accusations of According to Amnesty International, the Papua New Guinea authorities claim that … sorcery.’ women are six times more likely to be accused of sorcery (puri-puri) than men. Women are automatically suited to the ‘house’
4.4.4 Papua New Guinea PNG comprises of six hundred islands with over 800 known spoken languages, with an estimated population of just over 7.3 million, comprised of 85% living within rural areas and 15% living in urban areas. As documented in a 2012 Report, 96% of the population of PNG identified themselves as Christian, with the remainder holding indigenous or other beliefs. However, it is noted that the majority of citizens integrate their belief in the Christian faith with indigenous beliefs and practices. Due to the indigenous nature of PNG, the country is one of the most culturally diverse places in the world, with several thousand communities divided by language, custom and tradition. PNG has a prevalence of tribal violence, predominantly fighting over land disputes. Women in PNG endure some of the most extreme levels of violence in the world. In a Human Rights Watch (HRW) 2015 World Report, they document PNG to be ‘one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a woman, with an estimated 70% of women experiencing rape or assault in their lifetime.’ Belief in witchcraft is prevalent in PNG and the violence associated with WAP is horrific. Whilst witchcraft in PNG is often attributed to causing unexplained incidences and deaths, the prevalence of HIV within the country, spread by high levels of rape, polygamy and infidelity only exacerbate accusations of WAP, as women are often accused of spreading HIV via witchcraft. Due to the largely patriarchal nature of many communities, women in Papua New Guinea have very low social status. As a consequence, gender-based violence is prevalent throughout the country. This is validated by the UNDP, who ranks Papua New Guinea 135th out of 148 countries on the Gender Inequality Index. Witchcraft (sanguma) killings in Papua New Guinea, particularly within the remote and vast Highlands region, are on the increase and as observed by the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, authorities ‘lack the capacity to prevent and investigate crimes relating to … accusations of sorcery.’ According to Amnesty International, the Papua New Guinea authorities claim that women are six times more likely to be accused of sorcery (puri-puri) than men. Women are automatically suited to ‘house’ the
PHD_whole_Amendments_post_viva_2016_.docx