Abstract
A recent appeal from sixty Peace Officials in Jiwaka Province sounds an urgent alarm about the crumbling foundations of grassroots peacebuilding in Papua New Guinea.
These frontline mediators recently threatened to abandon their vital work entirely. The officials had gathered for a workshop hosted by the NGO Voice For Change to discuss the challenges and successes they face in their essential role. Statistics shared during the meeting revealed a concerning situation. Between January 2024 and February 2025, Peace Officials mediated 277 cases across the province, including 54 murders, 30 incidents of sexual violence (rapes), and 24 cases of sorcery-accusation-related violence.
These frontline mediators recently threatened to abandon their vital work entirely. The officials had gathered for a workshop hosted by the NGO Voice For Change to discuss the challenges and successes they face in their essential role. Statistics shared during the meeting revealed a concerning situation. Between January 2024 and February 2025, Peace Officials mediated 277 cases across the province, including 54 murders, 30 incidents of sexual violence (rapes), and 24 cases of sorcery-accusation-related violence.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Specialist publication | Devpolicy Blog |
| Publisher | Devpolicy Blog |
| Publication status | Published - 15 Apr 2025 |