PROBLEMS FACED BY WOMEN IN INCOME-EARNING ACTIVITIES AND THEIR TRAINING NEEDS FOR FAMILY LIVELIHOOD IMPROVEMENT IN A SELECTED VILLAGE IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Majority of Papua New Guinea’s (PNG's) population live in rural areas of which women equally constitute fifty per cent of the rural population. In PNG, women are very important assets within the family unit and the nation as a whole. Studies show that women contribute significantly to food and income security within the family unit and at the same time participate actively in developmental activities in the country (Bue and Halim, 2005; FPDC, 2000: FPDC, 1997). Despite their active participation and contributions for family sustenance, women often strive in harsh and adverse situations to achieve their goals.

PNG women are mostly engaged in cottage industries to support their male counterparts or fully cater for the family in female-headed households. Engagement in cottage industries is one of the avenues women earn income for family sustenance and livelihood improvement. However, majority of the rural women are not equipped with skills to engage in this industry. One of the constraints identified is that majority of the rural women are illiterate and usually underestimate their ability to learn. Moreover, high training fees often constrain these potential learners from equipping themselves with lifelong skills. In order to provide need-based trainings, women’s specific training needs have to be identified.

Thus, this study was conducted in one of the project villages of the PNG University of Technology so that help can be given through specific trainings. Data was collected using focus group made up of 60 women, ages ranging from 16 to 60 years. Problems faced by women in potential income-earning activities and their training needs were identified. A total of five activities were identified where they could earn income during the dry season when most of the agricultural activities ceased. These activities were then categorized into ‘agricultural’ and ‘home economics’. Problems faced by the women in these potential income-earning activities were also recorded.

A high proportion of women faced a lot of problems in potential income-earning activities. “Unavailability of water during the dry season” was the top most problem faced in both broiler production and vegetable farming. “Lack of knowledge in sewing”, “lack of capital” and “lack of knowledge in peanut butter production” were the main problems faced in sewing, baking, and production of peanut butter respectively. Majority of women (81.66%) had high need of training in different areas suggested and the training areas of priority were “health education”, “sewing” and “cooking and nutrition” which ranked as first, second and third respectively.

Based on the needs identified, trainings will be conducted or facilitated by the South Pacific Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SPISARD) which is the outreach extension arm of the Department of Agriculture at PNG University of Technology.