Mothers urged to have just three children

PORT MORESBY – A policy on educating families to have a maximum of three children will be launched soon in Papua New Guinea, according to National Planning Minister Charles Abel.

It will be part of the nation’s Sustainable and Responsible Development policy, he said.

Abel said the plan was to advocate for sustainable population growth.

“We need to get our population growth to three kids per woman. But we are not forcing them,” he said.

Abel said the policy was based on awareness and making family planning services available at community health posts.

“Health posts will have tools for family planning supported by a strong awareness campaign,” he said. “So no one is being forced. You are to make those choices and we know that educated people choose to have fewer children and look after the ones they have better.”

Abel said the policy was centred on human development to bring economic development individuals and to provide the best environment for that individual.

“It talks about infant mortality, maternal mortality, getting basic services like water and power to the community,” he said.