A Core Committee Meeting for the National Action Plan (NAP) against Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (SARV) was successfully carried out in Mt Hagen recently with more than 60 participants all over the Highlands Region.
Speaking at the gathering Deputy Secretary (Justice Administration), Mrs. Josephine Pitmur stressed on the importance of having a good strong partnership in this fight to curb sorcery accusation related violence.
Mrs. Pitmur said good partnership and communication with each other is the way forward for all of us dealing with SARV in the country; if we work well together, we will see great results,” she said.
“At the end of the day, we will find the solutions to our own problems and no one outside will do it. We are the experts in our field and what we do in this space. Donors will come and go but we will remain in our country with these issues,” she said.
“Hence, we must learn to work closely with each other; that is the State and Non-State Actors and the communities. In this space, partnership is very vital and there is no room for us to work in isolation but to hold each other’s hand and move forward,” she said.
Mrs. Pitmur was also impressed to see a fair representation of both genders and a good number of the younger generation in the room full of participants.
“I am pleased to see a good number of men participating in this program. SARV work needs a lot of male champions to help stand alongside our mothers, sisters and daughters who are very vulnerable in these situations. I acknowledge the men in the room, thank you for taking up the challenge to stand up for the women of this country,” she said.
On that note, she also encouraged the younger generation to work closely with the older generation so that knowledge can be passed on.
The three-day program was co-funded by OxFam PNG along with the Department of Justice and Attorney General.
Participants from State and Non-State Actors including civil society organizations, churches and community leaders attended the program held at the Highlander Hotel, Mt Hagen.
Participants of the program posing for a group photo after the program (Day 3), Highlander Hotel.
Participants of the program posing for a group photo after Day no. 1 at the Highlander Hotel.
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