Comments

PoV: This is a good article to ponder. Are there any local cultural factors that might play a significant role in this phenomenon?

We have already reached half of the 10 years to make PNG one of the black Christian nations on planet earth as declared by PMJM. Is it possible from now that we have only 4 more years left when a long time was passed without any achievements? Or can anyone prove me wrong?

Thanks for the insightful discussion on Wards and LLGs. When we work in communities/villages, we link up with the Village Planning Committee (VPC) Chairman and his commiitte. How do they fit into the subnational governance structure. The Ward Coumcillors usually politicise service delivery and create division among villages, with many not benefitting from gvnt funding.

I'm interested to contribute to PNG. I have little more opinion about myself and assisting with agriculture to take back to PNG.

You are a true patriotic leader and a legend. You saved the life of civilians and should be honoured for it. I value you for your service and duty to carry this nation.

Thanks to you all for this wonderful tribute. What a full and dedicated life!

Great article Ruth, hope to see you again. Regards to you and Kwansing.

I would like to know the current pay rate structure for government officers and company employees rates.

As a young Papua New Guinean and from my perspective, we need more advocates on the process and the stages of deterrence that prevent the accusers from taking the matter to court, in that manner, it will also help by putting in some sense of cautiousness into the perpetrators about the ripple effect of their action and that will also help mitigate the issue of SARV in the country.

Interesting article that captures the origin, functions and administrative aspects of this important institution. I have extensively worked with Ward Councilors and LLG reps in numerous studies and hence know the importance of this tier quite well. This is an important mechanism that every development project/program should tap into bring about better information flow into the community. An analysis of contribution of LLGs to the national/provincial economy and factors that determine the effectiveness and performance of this institution is well in order. The results of the study (proposed) can be the basis to bring about improvements to this institution.

Such a legacy for Bougainville, PNG, the Pacific and the world.

This study gives a strong picture of how polygamy is growing across Papua New Guinea, not just in the Highlands or rural areas, but now also in towns and coastal regions. The data shows that more women, young and old, educated and uneducated, are now in polygamous marriages. But while the numbers are important, we also need to look deeper at how this affects people’s lives, especially children and women. In many polygamous homes, children grow up in places where there is no peace. Mothers often fight or argue with each other or wth the husband, and this creates tension in the house. The father is usually busy with other wives or families, so he doesn’t spend enough time with each child. Because of this, children feel left out, confused, and sometimes unloved. They don’t get proper care or attention. Many children struggle in school because they are stressed or distracted. Some drop out early or don’t perform well. This kind of emotional pressure affects how they grow up and how they behave in society. For women, especially in the Highlands, polygamy brings even more danger. When a husband dies suddenly, people in the community often blame one of the wives. They say she used witchcraft or went to a sanguma man to win the husband’s love or to harm the other wives. These accusations are becoming more common now. Once a woman is blamed for sorcery, she can be tortured, beaten, chased out of the village, or even killed. Most times, it’s the women in polygamous marriages who get blamed because of jealousy and competition between co-wives. These accusations are not based on truth; they come from fear, gossip, and misunderstanding.