Women and development

Abstract

Today in Papua New Guinea, as in many other developing countries, women are faced with many problems arising from their rapidly
changing lifestyle. Traditionally in most societies the women looked after the families' welfare and the gardens and livestock, while men were responsible for protection, hunting and fishing, and the heavier work in the gardens and settlements. With the advent of a cash economy and improved communications and facilities, major changes have occurred in women's role and position in society and they have been confronted by a multitude of new problems. Although the impact of change varies from area to area, it is important to consider the problems arising from this change , especially in rural areas where 90% of the women in Papua New Guinea still live.