MORE than 200 people have participated in awareness on sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV) and gender-based violence (GBV) in communities and schools in Kavieng, New Ireland Province, last week.
The Pilai Lon Senis Program, through a partnership between AFL PNG and PNG Tribal Foundation, conducted a weeklong awareness program in Bagail, OLSH International, Sivisat and Munuwai.
A total of 66 people attended the awareness at Bagail Community, 45 students participated at OLSH International, 49 people attended at Sivisat Community, while 58 people participated in the phase two program at Munuwai Community.
A total of 218 people from communities and schools participated in the program.
The participants engaged in interactive sessions on different forms of violence, their causes and effects, how to deal with abusive homes, and different referral pathways and frontline authorities to reach out to when seeking help.
PNG Tribal Foundation officer Jessica Sarti, speaking to students at OLSH International, said gender-based violence and other forms of violence can be intergenerational when children grow up witnessing violence in their homes.
“Children who witness violence while growing up may later use violence against their partners because they believe it is acceptable to physically abuse their partner,” she said.
Many locals also raised concerns about homebrew abuse, partner violence, youth unemployment and other related social issues that need to be addressed through collaborative efforts.
The awareness program also saw more than 100 schoolchildren participate in football activities with the AFL team.
PNG Tribal Foundation thanked the Australian Government, through the Australian High Commission, for its continued support and efforts in rolling out community programs across the country.