Abstract
<p>Alcohol is banned in Wamena, but home-brewed alcohol is inexpensive, widely available, and transforming interpersonal, political and gender violence. This paper discusses the prevalence of home-brewed alcohol in Wamena, including the diverse factors that contribute to alcohol abuse among local indigenous people, and the significant effects that alcohol is having on the community. Home-brew leads to violence and stigmatisation of indigenous people, and its prevalence is related to economic marginalisation, stigmatisation, and lack of confidence, especially among young men. The paper recommends that policy makers go beyond regulating alcohol and consider how to change the broader conditions that make producing and consuming home-brew attractive to local people, especially men, and look for ways to manage alcohol-related violence without furthering stigma, discrimination and conflict in the city.</p>