Papua New Guinea, a country rot with superstition, has an alarming rate of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Natural disasters, disease, poverty, limited economic development and other misfortunes are often attributed to “black magic’ Individuals and communities, in rural and urban settings alike, search for scapegoats for their tribulations. The social status of women and prevalence of GBV has led many women to fall victim to witch hunts. These victims may be mal beheaded or burned alive. Eatly in April 2012, six-year-old Julie was kidnapped and assaulted by four men in Lae. The men raped the young girl for eight hours and then left her in 59% Rape Rate in Asia-Pacific region Around 70% of women in Papua New Guinea will suffer GBV weeks in the hospital. Because of the injuries inflicted on her, Julie can barely walk and can never have children Papua New Guinea: 2011-2012 Country Gender Assessment i [Education GBV & FSV Community Violence ‘Concerns for girls’ safety *Family and Sexua Violence” (FSV) A recent scoping study on fare asignificant barrier to has long been recognized as an women’s issues in market their school attendance extremely serious problem in PNG places, which serve as the major community hubs for ‘ag [Amation wide survey found ae dines Be ae "Honour violence’ highlights the prevalence of violence in markets. When a young woman f a relationship with a man disapproved of by her male Sorcerrelated Killings ~S\write, compared to 69 percont New. is _ Guinea 'Violence significantly reduces ives, they may lock her up, yo the range of actions a woman thor hair, burn her clothes can take to support her family and beat her, to punish her and enhance her health and a re Biren education, as well as that of ae aee cee Latin can of Children Women Not Witches & STATS The main components of the project include wased sary emt ot tear “ark ‘At the Regional and Local Community Level (Western Highlands) a ee Tac 13, ~Series of classes at schools ‘in the b =Short educational drama performances 0468 Pac ‘tthe Nationwide Level “Changing perception activites in public ty Spaces - including outdoor ‘campaigns and educational/changing perception activities and drama The Women Not Witcheproject will Performances for informal youth groups in Port Moresby, Lae and Mount Hagen ~-Nationwide awareness-raising activities in national radio and other media. Geimplemented ganar cans, ; Follow us on our blog for up-to-date reports on the project: of seeps hutp://seedstheatre.org/the-women-not-witches-project-2/ THEATRE GROUP INC,