Comments

Hi Nik, Thanks for your comment. I agree that reframing masculinities in a way that doesn't come off as 'man bashing' is very important... and an extremely difficult thing to achieve. The report gave some examples of how this could be done -- for example, through the promotion of ideas of positive fatherhood, men in caring roles, the use of positive male role models. One of the things that struck me from this report was the early age that men and boys started to perpetrate rape. So perhaps there is potential in trying to promote different notions of masculinity in early childhood education and primary school and to start to change some gender stereotypes through that (once again though, difficult to do in developing countries with education systems that are often struggling to teach the basics--and this kind of approach would also need community buy-in). Improved sexual and reproductive health education could also be one way to deliver more accurate information about sex and respectful relationships, and to address socially ingrained ideas of male sexual entitlement. You are right that there is likely a strong historical element to this, and the 'tough guy' ideal is very much perpetuated in a lot of pop culture and through media (new, social and old)--as are sexualised images of girls and women. So it's hard to counter these loud, flashy messages. Educating those who create media and bringing them on board as partners (or even introducing standards or codes) could be another option. I think it's a difficult and slow process that requires innovation and a variety of approaches--and it needs to be done hand in hand with other interventions, such as ending cultures of impunity around violence against women and providing women and men with appropriate health services and information. And it's something that definitely needs to be done with men as partners in the process.

Eve teasing to physical torture are all about a sense of ability to overpower the weaker who are taken for granted. Overpowering can be in many forms and can have varied reasons some of which even may not be directly linked to the victim. Reasons are going to stay for a long time and can be smoothed only with decades of corrective efforts. The biggest challenge is how to combat overpowering so that one dare not bring the intention in mind? Already many countries have taken steps through implementation of toll free rescue numbers, stringent punishments if one proved guilty but these steps may not stop one from immediate reaction to overpower the weaker. By the time actions initiate, the weaker might already been overpowered. Definitely then something weaker has to only do. Weaker has to devise new ways to secure, quick ways to inform so that threats can be controlled if not omitted. With this, weaker may not then any more be considered as weaker and taken for granted stamp will slowly disappear. As a society then we have to cull out innovative practices to support the currently weaker section of mankind and help them devising ways of their own to face the every day challenges. It has to be more of pulling exercise that need to be brought in rather than pushing of laws, policing and other stuff.

Robin, The logic of what has happened makes little sense. If we start with the preface that FA and aid are integrated (it is a fact and in that regard I agree with you - not an ideal world but that is the reality and we need to deal with it). Then as you say Aid is an essential part of the diplomatic tool kit. In the modern world AusAID is competing with new and relatively well funded development partners in the sphere for global influence. Therefore, announcing a massive cut and re-organisation is EXACTLY the wrong thing to do. It sends the message to partners that Australia has no long terms plans, it has little money and therefore you are better off looking elsewhere. Before folk argue otherwise - I know the cut is actually to growth but the way this has been communicated with the "freezing" of programs across the region is a bit of PR disaster. It would have been better to call it a focused re-prioritization whereby key areas (I guess in the Pacific and Asia) would be given greater emphasis over others. Diplomatically that would have been better. Alas the first move by FA has shown exactly why many feared the move would be a retrograde step - it has actually been a diplomatic and communication faux pas no matter which side of the debate one stands. I expect the next announcements to be somewhat more positive in tone - but let's see !

I would not use the word "dependency". If there was no aid it could be argued that there would be a corresponding decrease in the balance of trade. It is usually the hordes of foreign advisers who cause a large part of the trade imbalance. Nevertheless, your key point is correct. With the advent of "new development partners" especially from the asian sub continent there is more aid on offer now than ever before. So this means that the new challenge is not about the size of aid per se but how strategically it is used. That may be why FA wants to be closer to AusAID.

Ashlee, Amazing! Well done to highlight this - but - it would be good to hear your thoughts on how to address the need to re frame masculinity so that men don’t feel that violence equates to manliness. I think that is the key otherwise this comes across as men bashing - which it is not. Like you say there is an urgent need to work out why this happens. My own (totally non professional observation) was that the ability to be successfully violent was directly attributable to success / wealth and therefore manliness. Breaking that cycle will not be easy.

Biman & Nilesh, I could not agree more. Several years ago several of us (including Prof Prassad here) argued that Fiji's economy was not as fragile as some in the international community had hoped for / wished. The belief that the Fiji economy would imminently collapse (thereby taking the regime with it) was a bizarre hope / brief that it was almost impossible to argue against in the capitals of Canberra and Wellington even if you had facts on your side. Similarly, the Fijian economy is not as secure as some would believe now either. Your paper and blog correctly highlight several vulnerabilities. In addition is the lack of foreign capital. The challenge with asian investment seems to be that the cash somehow never ends up in your country - a phenomenon seen in many Pacific Islands. So as a result the NFA and therefore exchange rates can be vulnerable. It is true that many are simply waiting the election and foreign largess that may come with re-integrating into the international community - but it must always be borne in mind that Fiji is a very open economy. If Asia and Australasia slow down at the same time the structural faults highlighted by the authors could cause significant financial and economic problems. You chaps are right - there is a need to keep a close eye on poverty (and I would suggest inflation) as they may give a better picture of what is happening on the ground.

Dear Professor, This is well articulated and covers every aspect of SDP and has brought a lot of insights to me personally as a PNGean! My understanding of the country is that there is a huge mismatch of economic indicators and this issue just adds more icing to the cake!! Oh I was an IDEC student at Crawford. Thanks for the opportunity to study there. Cheers Helen

You have been very generous with statistics on increased utilisation but less so about the costs that have "increased". Please could you tell us by how much they have increased 10%? 100%, 1000% Is it true that costs have rocketed to the extent that the GoL even had to default on its payments last year?

Dear Sir, Thanks for this excellent article. PNGSDP, our company and foundation have been working and implementing the Eaglewood program in Western Province and beyond for several years now. 100,000 of trees have been planted, communities, support groups and land owners participate and fully support this project. This year we spent considerable time and funds and started talks to prepare for full commercialization over the coming three years. This project which is creating 100s of jobs and long term revenue now seems threatened. I hope the decision makers in PNG will soon continue this as time is running out for this project benefiting people and business WP so badly needs. Henry Heuveling van Beek.

Further to your comment and our response, we have just received from Boston University, the <a href="https://devpolicy.org/pdf/Endline-Study-PPP-Lesotho-Final-Report-2013.pdf" rel="nofollow">Final report</a> [pdf] for the “Endline Study for Queen Mamohato Hospital Public Private Partnership,” September 2013. We highlight the headline findings. The data show substantial improvements in clinical quality, use and patient satisfaction compared to the baseline. The death rate fell by 41%, the maternity death rate fell by 10%, the paediatric pneumonuia death rate fell by 65% and the patient satisfaction rate grew by 22%. Access to health services improved significantly. Inpatient admissions were 51% higher, as were outpatient visits, including filter clinics (126%) and hospital deliveries (45%). The report shows that costs have also increased. In the iron triangle of health care - cost, quality and access, it is a given that if you improve quality AND access, costs will increase. The key factor to consider is value - what you are buying for the amount being spent. It is clear that the PPIP in Lesotho has provided much greater value for the people of Lesotho. The report provides a demonstration of how transformational in quality and access a PPIP arrangement can be in a low income setting. Neelam Feacham and Jane Thomason

The findings of this report are sadly unsurprising. In the Papua New Guinea Medical Journal Volume 52, Number 3-4, September-December 2009, Focus Issue on Health Systems Strengthening, edited by Professor Maxine Whittaker and me - we review the achievements and lessons from the past decade and provide some leads on where, investments should be made to improve the outcomes of the health system. We emphasise the need to focus on five basic elements: 1. Effective interventions for main causes of morbidity and mortality; where and when required (these are well articulated in the national health plan) 2. Skilled health workers at the point of service who are able to provide those interventions (this is an issue that was identied in the 1980's and has received insufficient attention) 3. Essential logistical elements to enable the health worker to provide the effective intervention (drugs, medical supplies, equipment, transport, treatment guidelines etc) 4. Information, education and communications, and other health promotion initiatives andefforts directed at communities—to obtain their cooperation and acceptance of the interventions; and to support and empower their engagement in healthy behaviours 5. Population coverage. These remain the priority needs of the PNG health system.

The comments come from someone well versed with both side of the organizations affected by the new legislation. The arguments highlight how individual greed can lead to development of ill structured legislations which can affect PNG's reputations abroad and cash flow within. Lets hope the PM of PNG changes his dictatorial approach to governing and running the affairs of this country. People are now well aware who this person is, holding the highest executive position of the country.