A gathering in Goroka, attended by over 30 community-based anti-violence advocates, has brought to light the harrowing reality of young girls being used as “comfort women” by gunmen hired to fight in tribal conflicts. This UN-sponsored training on gender-based violence (GBV) and sorcery accusation-related violence has exposed the severe trauma these girls endure. A senior community member from Mendi, who remains anonymous due to security concerns, revealed that it has become a common practice for these armed “hire men” to demand young girls for sex as part of their payment. “This has been happening, but communities don’t talk about it.…
