Family in Papua New Guinea

Family relationships in Papua New Guinea combine formal law with customary practice. The Constitution recognizes custom as part of the underlying law, but written law prevails when custom conflicts with the Constitution, legislation or basic principles of humanity. Customary expectations differ greatly between provinces and ethnic groups, so a practice accepted in one community may not apply elsewhere. There is no single national family institution, universal family benefit, standardized family counselling service or unified family court. Kin, wantok networks, churches, community groups and NGOs provide much of the practical support, while government services operate through national, provincial, district and local-level institutions. The Department or Ministry responsible for Community Development, Religion and Youth, the National Office for Child and Family Services (NOCFS), provincial and district Community Development offices, churches, NGOs and Family Support Centres may provide referrals or support. Access depends on location, transport, language, available staff and local funding. Rugged terrain and islands, low literacy, limited lawyers and social workers, court capacity, stigma and fear can delay help. Costs commonly include transport, lost work time and case-dependent administrative or legal fees. The Marriage Act 1963 recognizes customary, civil and religious marriage. Customary marriage may involve goods or money exchanged between families, and its evidence and rules vary by community. Civil marriage generally requires documents such as birth records and evidence of marital status or a previous spouse's death or divorce where relevant. The official process indicates at least seven days' notice, a search and fees, although access and exact charges vary by province and office. For civil marriage, the stated minimum ages are 18 for males and 16 for females, with additional consent requirements for minors. Registration or a later court or registry document can provide proof needed for inheritance, entitlements, nationality and legal protection. Customary marriage may need documentation or a Village Court or District Court order before later registration. Polygyny and other customary practices exist; a 2016–18 national survey reported that 18% of currently married women said their husband had another wife or wives. The Lukautim Pikinini Act 2015 has been in force since 8 August 2016. It protects children, recognizes their best interests and right to live with their parents where safe, and places duties of maintenance and parental responsibility on caregivers. NOCFS and provincial Child and Family Services can receive reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation, manage cases, arrange referrals or alternative care, support families and work toward reunification. A 2026 government report recorded more than 160 frontline officers and more than 800 child-protection cases plus more than 2,300 welfare cases in 2025, but access and implementation remain uneven. Birth registration is handled through the PNG Civil and Identity Registry (PNGCIR) and the Registrar-General. Hospitals, mobile teams and outreach services are expanding access, yet UNICEF and Papua New Guinea data indicate that only about 13% of children under five had registered births and about 7% had obtained a birth certificate in the cited period. Distance, fees, missing documents, literacy and limited access to registration facilities create barriers. A birth certificate can affect identity proof, school access, nationality matters and later dealings with public institutions. Extended kin commonly provide care for children, older people and people with disabilities. Kinship or other out-of-home care can be a practical alternative when a child cannot safely remain with a parent, but customary kin-care is not the same as formal adoption. Formal adoption is governed by the Adoption of Children Act 1968 and requires an order of the National Court, with assessment, consent and timing depending on the case and responsible child-welfare authorities. Long-term care services and a universal care entitlement are not evidenced nationally. The Family Protection Act 2013, amended in 2022, covers physical, sexual, psychological and economic domestic violence. A District Court can issue a protection order. An interim order lasts up to 30 days and may be renewed once for a further maximum of 30 days. Police, health services, Family Support Centres, safe houses and legal or psychosocial providers may help where available. A 2026 government statement reported 56 safe houses across all 17 provinces, but transport, confidentiality, enforcement and safety vary. Customary mediation does not replace statutory protection when violence creates serious danger. Older national survey data reported physical violence since age 15 for 56% of women aged 15–49, sexual violence for 28%, and physical, sexual or emotional spousal violence for 63% of ever-married women; these figures have coverage and age limitations. After separation, customary marriage dissolution may involve Village Courts or District Courts, while civil marriage matters go to the National Court under matrimonial causes procedures. Divorce or separation proceedings may move from a decree nisi to a final decree, followed by an update to the relevant registration record. Child residence, contact and maintenance depend on the child's best interests, parental responsibility and any protection concerns. Customary arrangements are common, but an enforceable remedy generally requires a formal order. There is no universal maintenance amount or fixed timetable, and local legal advice may be needed. Death registration and funeral support usually involve civil registration together with kin, clan, church and community obligations; inheritance and succession belong to the separate civil-law scope.