Papua New Guinea ‘among world’s worst places’ for women
Women attacked and burned alive are being accused of sorcery and witchcraft
Papua New Guinea is one of the world’s most dangerous places to be a woman, with domestic violence widespread and perpetrators rarely charged, Human Rights Watch said Wednesday.
The rights group said police were “very rarely prepared” to pursue criminal investigations in cases of domestic violence, even when they involved attempted murder or repeated rape.
“PNG is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a woman or a girl, with an estimated 70 percent of women experiencing rape or assault in their lifetime,” the group said in the PNG section of its annual report.
“While such acts have long been criminalized and domestic violence was specifically proscribed under the 2013 Family Protection Act, few perpetrators are brought to justice.”
The rights group said police also often demanded payment “for fuel” from victims before taking action, or simply ignored cases in the nation where it said some 40 percent of the population live in poverty.
Those attacked after being accused of sorcery or witchcraft were often female, it added.
“Reports continue of violent mobs attacking individuals accused of ‘sorcery’ or ‘witchcraft’,” it said.
“Sorcery accusations are often accompanied by brutal attacks, including burning of homes, assault, and sometimes murder.”
There is a widespread belief in sorcery in the nation where many people do not accept natural causes as an explanation for misfortune, illness, accidents or death.
HRW urged the PNG government to do more to ensure that victims of domestic violence were afforded justice and appropriate services.
“Papua New Guinea is failing to meet its obligations under international law to protect women and girls from discrimination and family violence,” said HRW Asia director Brad Adams.
HRW deputy Asia director Phil Robertson added: “PNG really is a world leader in this abysmal department.”
The rights group said other pressing issues in PNG included gender inequality, violence, corruption, and excessive use of force by police.
Also Read
-
Two South Korean ex-sex slaves demand direct apology from Japan PM
Japan in 1993 acknowledged forcing women into military brothels, often by deception and sometimes by physical force Gulf -
Saudis slam preacher who described women as shameful
There is anger on social networking sites as a result of the spread of a video clip by preacher Ali Al-Maliki, who recently appeared on one of the TV ... Reports -
Saudi women married to foreigners get family ID cards
The new policy falls in line with Saudi royal directives to help them manage family affairs without approval from a male guardian or a court order Features -
Tuareg women-only musical tradition reborn in Algeria
Young Tuareg women - enticed by modern commercial beats - had lost interest in the instrument, which requires ‘a certain understanding of time’ Variety -
Tunisian women and “Jihadism” trap
700 Tunisian women went for “jihad”, according to the Tunisian press and civil society organizations. This is what was said by the guest ... Point Of Order -
Female refugees face abuse on migrant trail through Europe
Amnesty report said women and girls travelling alone or accompanied by their children felt under threat World News -
Who are the women of Davos 2016?
Women who are leading companies, countries and universities, who are breaking new ground in science and reimagining societies DAVOS 2016 -
Does Egypt’s new tourist marriage law really ‘protect women?’
Commonly known as the “tourist” or “Seasonal marriages” law, it is directed at non-Egyptian men vacationing in the country Features -
British PM attacks isolation of Muslim women
David Cameron also said migrants would be forced to improve their fluency English or risk their ability to stay in Britain Middle East -
Photographer shows life after rape in India
Indian photographer said the idea to make portraits of women and girls who were raped was part of the frustration on the way the media reported the crime Variety
