Gender Analysis in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

The report provides an outline of the key historical, economic, demographic, political, geographic, socio-cultural, and legal and institutional issues that are relevant to understanding the status of women in Papua New Guinea (PNG) today. It begins with an exploration of the history of contact and political development in the country and discusses how the power of traditional and cultural factors has carried over into contemporary PNG, by and large preventing women from sharing equally in the benefits of development. The situation analysis leads into an examination of potential areas of intervention with the emphasis on identifying how such intervention could influence community and institutional views on the role of women to promote their fuller participation in economic and social activities. Some gaps in information about the situation of women in PNG, particularly in the statistical database, are identified with recommendations for further research to strengthen the basis on which policies, planning targets, and programs are formulated. The report concludes with a comprehensive profile of the major stakeholders in PNG who have a role in policy development and project implementation and provides a detailed, annotated bibliography of literature on women, gender and sectoral issues in PNG.