PMC in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is an island in the Pacific just north of Australia, only slightly larger than California in land mass, yet one of the most culturally diverse places on the planet. Papua New Guinea has a population of almost 6.5 million with an annual population growth rate of 1.97 percent, which means the population will double in 36 years. More than 80 percent of people live in rural areas of mountainous terrain which prevents many tribes from contact with each other or the outside world. In fact, radio is often the only link in these widely scattered and isolated settlements with low literacy levels. Papua New Guinea has an estimated 864 languages spoken throughout the country. While it is this cultural diversity that makes Papua New Guinea so unique — cultural, language, and geographic barriers have hindered the country’s progress in achieving social, health, and environmental indicators.

Papua New Guinea has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS, fertility, and maternal mortality in the Pacific region. According to UNICEF, only 60% of boys and 50% of girls are enrolled in primary school. Domestic violence is a fact of life for two-thirds of women, and in some areas of the country, rates of domestic violence are as high as 100% of women in marriages. Papua New Guinea is home to the world’s highest levels of coastal marine biodiversity. Deforestation is a major threat to Papua New Guinea.