Research can be a powerful tool for activism.

Fiona is motivated by the immense suffering of women who are affected by sorcery accusation related violence. She utilising the research that she is involved with to advocate for women and families who are accused of sorcery accusation violence and for those who are at the coal face of rescuing and protecting women. Coalitions and cooperation can help to address violence through strengethening networks.

Fiona Hukula, an anthropologist from Papua New Guinea, will talk about the pros and cons of customary justice and the practice of witchcraft and sorcery allegations against women in her country. The difficulties of addressing sorcery accusation related violence and how her research has led her to assist practically, build working relationships with activists and volunteers on the ground.

Fiona Hukula is a Senior Research Fellow and Building Safer Communities Program Leader at the Papua New Guinea National Research Institute (PNGNRI).  She received a PhD in Social Anthropology from the University of St Andrews, Scotland. Fiona’s research interests are in the area of urban studies, gender and socio-legal studies. She represents the PNG NRI on high level national committees such as the Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee (FSVAC) and the National Action Plan against Sorcery Accusation and Related Violence (NAP SARV). Fiona serves on the board of the NGO Peace Foundation Melanesia is also a Commissioner of the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission.

Website: http://stopsorceryviolence.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Finahken