Accused 'witches' dying in PNG

An aid worker says violence against women in Papua New Guinea who are accused sorcery is widespread and Australia should do more to help.

An aid worker says violence against women accused of sorcery is widespread in Papua New Guinea. (AAP)

Papua New Guinea should declare an emergency in response to an increase in violence against women who are accused of sorcery, an aid worker has told a Senate inquiry.

Oxfam country director Esmie Sinapa says women are being accused of witchcraft when the real issue is often about land rights - and many have died because they couldn't get help soon enough.

"Papua New Guinea needs to declare an emergency on sorcery-related violence - it is widespread," she told the inquiry into Australia's PNG aid program in Canberra on Tuesday.