Improved nutrition through vanua vekokolena (community empowerment) in Central Province, Papua New Guinea : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University, Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

Everyone has the right to food and nutrition, and women need attention as they are often the providers of good nutrition. Yet, nutrition awareness and specific policies are amiss in Papua New Guinea (PNG). In PNG, it is important to understand that colonisation was the vehicle for the introduction of Western food. In development thought and practice, improving nutrition is the catalyst for progressing the health and empowerment of women, and poverty reduction. This research explored nutrition by applying an Indigenous knowledge approach and by focusing on women and community empowerment. There is a common understanding among women in rural villages that garden food is nutritious compared to store bought food. The local PNG understanding of food and nutrition, and the role of women in rural communities, necessitates an inclusive approach with strategies to leverage change holistically and that sheds light on mechanisms to improve the livelihood of rural women. This research utilised an overarching qualitative methodology combining Indigenous knowledge with the new framework of doi avatuani. The local conversational method of tamei guluagulua was applied to understand the experiences of young rural single mothers who struggle to provide nutritious meals. In implementing participatory observation, interviews and guluagulua sessions, this research uncovered a lack of nutrition awareness in rural villages and the lack of a coordinated nutrition system in PNG. Taken together, Indigenous knowledge, skills and values, cultural practices, and religious activities in rural communities of Central PNG all create a cohesive system of support for young single women making food gardens and gathering food. Women contribute to food production, providing food for cultural activities and in providing nutritious meals for their families. Results have shown that social and cultural factors and expectations of women can inhibit their full capacity within the community. Development programs targeted at young rural single women have not necessarily reached all. The cultural systems of support and values, and specifically the basket-to-basket and varevare (sharing), ve tarikaka (relationship with immediate relatives), ve galagala (relationship with distant relatives) and veduru (support) practices were evident as empowering women in the rural communities. From these collaborative practices in rural communities, women are supported to achieve some of their goals. Their direct involvement in cultural activities and contribution to community activities reveal their plea to be independent and self-sustaining and to have enhanced knowledge and skills to improve their livelihood. The study showed that rural women are resilient, for example, when addressing climate conditions that affect their food gardens. Some women find ways through these disadvantages by strengthening their cultural values. It is recommended to understand and captivate Indigenous knowledge and enhanced skills as these equip women to prepare nutritious meals in the community. A culturally appropriate framework, vanua vekokolena, and a collective approach is proposed to guide government policymakers, community leaders, church leaders, development agencies and donors to create comprehensive inclusive, context-specific programs that will improve nutrition locally and globally.