2.5. The Social Sector Policy Framework Relating to Speci ic Population Groups

Question

A socially inclusive society is a society in which people feel valued, in which differences are respected
and in which basic needs are met so that all people experience an acceptable level of wellbeing and
can live with dignity. Cri cally, a socially inclusive society requires equity of access to quality social
services. This in turn requires society to be sensi e and responsive to the issues and needs of
vulnerable and disadvantages individuals and groups. The following are the key vulnerable and
disadvantaged groups the Na onal Policy on Social Protec on 2015-2020 will seek to support:
a) Children: Lukautim Pikinini
Children have Rights
Children have rights. Papua New Guinea has one of the youngest popula ons in the Pacific region.
Children comprise approximately forty percent of the PNG popula on. Public policy to protect
children is important in any society; it is par cularly important in Papua New Guinea at this me.
Every child in Papua New Guinea requires protec on from all forms of harm and danger.
FAMILIES
SETTINGS
0 - 18 19 - 25 26 - 60 60+ YEARS OLD
COMMUNITIES
LUKAUTIM PIKININI YOUTH PRODUCTIVE AGE ELDERLY
EDUCATION/ LITERACY (ECCD, Adult Literacy, TVET, Elementary, Primary, Secondary & Tertiary, Open Learning
INTERGRATED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (Learning, Economics, Governance & Environment)
HEALTH (Antenatal, Environmental Health, Malaria, TB, Nutrition, Health Promotion
SOCIAL INCLSION (Women Empowerment, Child Protection, Gender Equality, Disability, etc)
LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT ENVIRONMENT CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECT
DISASTER URBANISATION & SETTLEMENT FOOD SECURITY
URBAN
RURAL
FORMAL
INFORMAL
POVERTY
HUMAN
STATUS
SITUATIONS
f
The UN Convenion on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is the primary instrument which provides
Internaional Standards and Guidelines for addressing the rights of children. PNG raified the UNCRC
in March 1993. PNG acknowledge a commitment to uphold the requirements of the Internaional
Convenion. This requirement led to the development of the Lukauim Pikinini Act in 2009.
Lukauim Pikinini: The Protecion of Children
As stated in the Act, Lukauim Pikinini is a Tok Pisin term meaning “the care, protecion and
promoion of the rights and well-being of all children regardless of their race, religion, sex, ability or
disability and naionality”.
The Lukauim Pikinini Policy 2015 - 2020, embraces the direcions of the Lukauim Pikinini Act 2015.
The policy calls for the promoion of rights and the protecion of the well-being of all children in
PNG. The policy also calls for a coordinated effort by all stakeholders whether government, religious
organisaions, non-government organisaions or private sector to strengthen partnerships and to
reinforce the direcions of the Lukauim Pikinini Act.
Consistent with the Lukauim Pikinini Act, the Lukauim Pikinini Policy will provide and
implementaion framework to reinforce the commitment of Government to all aspects of the quality
of life of children in PNG.
Within this context, the Act defines a Child in need of Protecion:
• Whose parents are dead or incapacitated by and adequate provision has not been made for
the child‘s care
• Who has been abandoned by their parents and adequate provision has not been made for
the child‘s care
• Who has suffered or is likely to suffer significant harm as a result of physical abuse or mal -
treatment
• Who has been, or, is likely to be physically harmed, sexually abused or sexually exploited
• Who has been, or is likely to be physically harmed, sexually abused or sexually exploited by
some person other than the child‘s parent, and the parent is unwilling or unable to protect
the child
• Who has been, or likely to be physically harmed because of neglect by the child‘s parents, or
who is sexually or emoionally abused by the child‘s parents or guardian
• Whose development is likely to be seriously impaired by treatable condiion and the child‘s
parents refuse to provide or consent to treatment
• Who is living in a household where there have been incidents of domesic violence and, as a
consequence, the child is at risk of serious physical or physiological harm
• Who is or has been absent from home in circumstances that endanger the child‘s safety or
well-being
• Who has serious differences with their parents to such an extent that the physical, mental,
or emoional well-being of the child is being seriously impaired (or threatened) or the care
and control of the child is likely to be seriously affected
The Policy will also recognise that a child may also be a child for whom Emergency Protecion
Powers can be invoked. These can happen, where a child:
• Has been abandoned shortly ater delivery
• Appears lost or to have run away
• Shows signs that their health or safety are in immediate danger
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b) Youth
The Papua New Guinea Youth Policy 2007 – 2017, defines the youth age as being the ages from 12 to
25 years. Youth represents approximately 20 per cent of the popula on.
Young people face many challenges which can lead to vulnerability. Young people can experience
lack of opportunity to access a wide range of services to support their development, including health
care, educa on, and employment.
Youth unemployment and underemployment has been one of the major policy challenges. There is
a major need to create employment opportuni es to produc ely engage youth. The ILO report
“Inclusive Growth for Youth,” indicates PNG’s youth employment rate was 4%. The2010 Na onal
Census indicates youth labor force par cipa on is 57.6%.
The key Youth policy interven on is to resource and implement the nine strategic policy goals that
are captured in the Na onal Youth Policy. These are:
• Improving the quality of youths’ lives
• Accessing integrated educa on
• Nurturing sustainable livelihoods
• Promo ng healthy lifestyles
•
•
Strengthening Ins tu onal Capacity
• Youth and Iden es
• Research Informa on and Data Collec on on Youth; and
• Law, Order and Jus ce.
c) Women
Many women in Papua New Guinea are vulnerable or disadvantaged and experience a range of
issues including gender based violence, discrimina on of gender roles in economic choices,
limita ons in decision making ability, power and freedom. As a consequence many women cannot
live rewarding independent lives.
PNG has ra fied the Conven on on the Elimina on of Discrimina on Against Women (CEDAW), and
is accordingly commi ed to a range of appropriate interven ons.
A recent World Bank/ Ins tute for Na onal Affairs report “Gender and Economic Choice of Women
in Papua New Guinea” (INA, 2012) found that gender roles in economic choices and decision making,
power and freedom, marriage and children, educa on and economic opportuni es are now slowly
shi ing from tradi onal male dominance to a more balanced perspec e. This indicates there has
been some progress in promo ng women’s development and empowerment in Papua New Guinea.
The Government is commi ed to ensuring progress for Women. The Government, in conjunc on
with a range of non-government organiza ons and development partners has developed the Policy
Framework on Women: The Women and Gender Equality Policy, the Gender Equity Policy and the
Social Inclusion Policy. The policies and the related Gender Based Strategy (currently in progress)
are the major instruments being developed by Government for the protec on of women, and
women’s development and empowerment in Papua New Guinea.
The key interven on to ensure protec on, empowerment and development for women the
mainstreaming of the gender policies and the gender-based strategy into all the Government
Departments and Agencies, Statutory Bodies, State Owned Enterprise and Provincial Governments.
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f) The Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)
Levels of disability in Papua New Guinea are not known. The World Health Organiza on es mates
that around 15% of the global popula on is likely to have some form of disability (Na onal Disability
Policy 2007).
Despite some improvements in inclusive educa on for the disabled, the expansion of community
based rehabilita on, support for the emergence of Disabled Persons’ Organisa ons as key focal
points organisa ons and increasing levels of public awareness, disabled people in Papua New Guinea
con nue to struggle to have their rights recognized, to limit discrimina on and to improve access to
social and economic services.
Disability-inclusive development is essen al to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Papua
New Guinea ra fied the United Na ons Conven on of the Rights of Persons with Disabili es (CRPD)
in September, 2013.
The Na onal Disability Policy advocates for a rights based approach for the disabled, with focus on
responsibili es, processes and standards against which rights are secured. The key interven ons to
create an inclusive rights based society for persons living with disability are: an ins tu onal budget
and legal framework, advocacy on rights and responsibili es and programs and services.
Government has recognized the need to provide pension support the disabled. A social pension is
currently being designed. It is intended that the social pension will be progressively rolled out across
PNG with the objec e of achieving national coverage.
g) The Elderly Persons (EPs)
There is currently no standard defini on for old age or elderly persons (EPs) in Papua New Guinea.
Approximately 4.6% of the PNG popula on is 60 years or older.
Economic and social change is increasing the vulnerability of elderly people, and reducing overall
levels of family support for them. It is likely that a significant number of elderly people are now
disadvantaged.
Government has recognized the need to provide pension support the elderly. A social pension is
currently being designed. It is intended the social pension will be progressively rolled out across
PNG with the objec e of achieving na onal coverage.
h) People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)
In December 2009, the total number of people living with HIV in PNG was 34,100 of which 31,000
were adults aged 15 or over. This is a 0.9 % na onal prevalence rate in the 15 to 49 age groups
(Na onal HIV/AIDS Strategy 2011- 2015). Regionally 60 % of cases were in the Highlands, 26 % in
Southern Region (including 21 % for Port Moresby), 11 % of cases were in Momase and 2 % in the
New Guinea Islands.
Based on the above reading summarize it on how subdivisions of community development like disability, youth, women and child protection

Answer 1

The Social Sector Policy Framework in Papua New Guinea emphasizes the need for a socially inclusive society that values all individuals, respects differences, and ensures equitable access to quality social services. The following summarizes how various subdivisions of community development—specifically disability, youth, women, and child protection—are addressed to support vulnerable and disadvantaged groups:

1. Child Protection

Children constitute approximately 40% of Papua New Guinea's population, necessitating robust public policies to safeguard their rights and wellbeing. The Lukautim Pikinini Act (2009) and the associated Lukautim Pikinini Policy (2015-2020) aim to protect children from harm, including neglect, abuse, and exploitation. The policy highlights the need for a coordinated effort among stakeholders (government, NGOs, religious organizations) to promote children's rights comprehensively. The act identifies various circumstances under which a child may require protection and establishes frameworks for intervention.

2. Youth Development

Youth, defined as individuals between the ages of 12 to 25, constitute about 20% of the population. The Papua New Guinea Youth Policy (2007-2017) outlines key challenges they face, such as limited access to health care, education, and employment opportunities. The policy emphasizes the need to address youth unemployment and underemployment, and it sets nine strategic goals focused on improving the quality of youths’ lives, promoting healthy lifestyles, and fostering sustainable livelihoods. These efforts aim to better engage the youth population and provide them with essential services for their development.

3. Women’s Empowerment

Many women in Papua New Guinea face vulnerabilities, including gender-based violence and economic discrimination. The government has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and developed several policies, including the Women and Gender Equality Policy and Gender Equity Policy, to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. These interventions focus on mainstreaming gender policies into all levels of government and organizational strategy, aiming to enhance women's decision-making abilities and improve their socio-economic conditions.

4. Disability Inclusion

The National Disability Policy recognizes the challenges faced by people with disabilities (PWDs), who have historically struggled to have their rights acknowledged and to gain access to services. Despite improvements in inclusive education and community rehabilitation, substantial hurdles remain. The government ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2013, advocating for a rights-based approach to support PWDs. The key focus areas include establishing legal frameworks, advocacy for rights, and implementing programs to ensure social and economic integration. Additionally, a social pension for disabled individuals is being developed to enhance their financial support and inclusion.

In summary, the Social Sector Policy Framework in Papua New Guinea outlines comprehensive strategies aimed at fostering inclusivity and protection for vulnerable groups, including children, youth, women, and persons with disabilities. Each subdivision targets specific needs and establishes collaborative mechanisms among stakeholders to implement effective interventions for development and empowerment.