by Merilyn Diau-Katam – EM TV News, Port Moresby
While cases are being reported, daily, of women and children being victims to rape, murder and torture, awareness groups such as the Seeds theatre are hard at work spreading awareness.
The group has a unique way of raising awareness through performing arts.
This is proven a sensitive method to educate the highly illiterate population according to Seeds Theatre Group Project Director, Willie Doaemo.
After the high cases of reported incidents in the highlands region of sorcery related violence against women, the Seeds Theatre Group established the Women Not Witches project in 2014 to educate and change the perception of boys, young men and the wider society in order to reduce the violence.
Seeds Theatre Group Project Director, Willie Doaemo, says the target areas are the highlands region and Morobe.
They believe that through drama and storytelling they can reach a wider audience especially targeting the illiterate population.
Doaemo says they aim to go down to their level and try to get the message towards them.
Apart from the theatre performances, the Seeds Theatre Group has set up a Response Team in Western Highlands, they respond to sorcery related violence when it is reported in.
Since its formation, the Seeds Theatre Group has reached more than 100,000 individuals.
The Seeds Theatre Group make use of performing arts skills training to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence, health issues, illiteracy, family planning, environmental rights and good governance.
This is only a step closer to educate communities and eliminate violence against women in the country.
Through this awareness, people must be aware that there are Human Rights and Women Rights Law that protects women and that violating this is a crime.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_FOYe-Bgv0
