The report provides an outline of the key historical, economic,
demographic, political, geographic, socio-cultural, legal and
institutional issues that are relevant to understanding the status of
women in Papua New Guinea 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. Following a situation report
there is a discussion along sector lines of how gender issues in PNG are
influenced by a complex set of interrelated factors. 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 of the role of women in promoting
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 Papua New Guinea 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.