PNG second last on UN list

PAPUA New Guinea ranks 160 out of 161 in the 2021 global gender equality index, United Nation Women country representative, Themba Kalua says.
Kalua said gender inequality was a major challenge in the country where 60 per cent of women had experienced physical and sexual violence and other forms of gender violence which doubled the global average.
“We know that women are largely excluded in the formal economy and that they are concentrated in the informal sector where they make up at least 75 per cent of all workers in the informal economy,” he said.
Kalua said women faced obstacles in pursuing their livelihoods in the informal economy, due to many barriers including lack of protection in labour laws, gender-based violence and competing family responsibilities.
He said the evidence across the world showed that societies would not enjoy human rights, peace, sustainable and inclusive development if women were excluded from playing active roles in leadership alongside men.
“To change and improve, it will require a concerted effort by all stakeholders including media to promote the equal sharing of family responsibilities, gender equality and non-stereotyped gender roles of women and men, produce materials on women leadership roles,”