Papua New GuineaViolence and Development

Key Facts Port Moresby, the capital

city, was rated the “Worst City in the World” by the Economist Intelligence Unit

#145 out of 177 on Human Development Index, between Cameroon and Haiti

Life expectancy (2000): 56.9 years

Adult literacy rate (2000): 57.3%

GDP/Capita ($PPP 2000): $2563.00

Violence and Women UNICEF estimates that around 1 million children in

Papua New Guinea live with violence, either at home or in their community.1

In rural areas, concepts of domestic and sexual violence do not exist.1

In Papua, New Guinea, 67% of rural women and 56% of urban women have been victims of wife abuse.2

Sexual harassment is not illegal.3

1 http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/papuang_30991.html; 2 http://www.womenagainstrape.net/international_statistics.htm; 3http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005/61623.htm; 4. (Rape Statistics - Angau Hospital 2002) 

Rape in PNG #28th in the world for absolute

number of rapes reported each year Police claim 8% of female

population have been raped2

Police are accused of being corrupt and not investigating rape charges.

Cases are underreported Surveys suggest roughly 50% of

women are rape victims

16% of rape had 5 or more perpetrators4

Cases of rapes involving more that 20 men have been reported

15-30% annual increase in numbers HIV/AIDS infected.1

2. http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/papuang_45211.html

Josie TankunaniSirivi, Recipient Nobel Peace Prize 2005

Raskols of Port Moresby

“Raskolsare known to be violent thugs and are notorious for armed robberies, rapes and armed hold-ups... I did the project so my photographs could bring humanity, dignity and honesty to the Raskols.

I wanted to allow them to have the opportunity to express themselves in front of the camera and bring me into their world and allow me to learn about their situation."

—Stephen Dupont, Photographer

http://www.booklyn.org/artists/%3Ch2%3EStephen%20Dupon%20Bondi%20Beach,%20Australia%3C/h2%3E.php

Raskol campOutside Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Tribal Violence in PNGPhoto: Mudmen hand ornamentation

Naïve Preconcepti

on•Loin clothes, face paint and spears•Traditional tribal structure•Frequent intertribal conflicts over territory

Research Findings

•Loin clothes, face paint and spears AND GUNS!!!•Traditional tribal structure•Frequent intertribal conflicts over, according to a HuliWigman, “My land, my wife, my pigs and my wigs.”

Tribal Gun Culture Guns are supplied from

corrupt police force and Australian and Indonesia black markets

Has resulted into higher casualties in tribal conflicts

Many police stations have shut down in rural areas due to being out-gunned

Introduce of village “Rambos”

“It’s like rugby.”-A Western Highlander “Rambo” on tribal wars.

Current human rights concern

There has been a substantial increase in the practice of slaying “witches”

More than 150 cases last year

Technically illegal, but difficult to enforce because entire villages are involved

Violence and economics

Economic Climate PNG exports oil, gold,

coffee and other cash crops

Lack of government presence in rural areas has resulted in business acting as defacto governing body

Police often on business payroll

Many reports of people that oppose development in rural areas being slain by police

In Sum… Violence affects the lives

of everyone living in PNG Urban dwellers face

violence driven by poverty

Rural dwellers face violence driven by culture

The intense violence is the largest obstacle to attracting millions of potential research and investment dollars

Policy Recommendations

First and foremost…I HAVE NO IDEA.

Recommendations Best first step to

reform police force Lift out of poverty Train Educate Make accountable

Strengthen rural clinics and service providers

Fight corruption

The Catch 22: Development may reduce violence, but may also damage aspects of PNG that could

foster lasting development.