Mission and objectives

Morobe Development Foundation Inc. is a leading Internationally recognised NGO based in Lae Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea. It has the vision to help young people reach their full potential by utilizing their hidden talents in community development initiatives so they can realize their potential and become role model in the community. MDF was established to address a broader and more diverse range of objectives and work through the use of dance, music, and drama, MDF’s primary aim is to ensure that women participate equally in decision-making in any project undertaken, including projects related to Ending Violence against Women and promoting Human Rights to support the Government and the Sustainable Development Goals. MDF, in collaboration with Online Volunteers, engaged through the UNV's Unified Volunteer Platform (UVP), has also undertaken various scientific research studies related to the environment - forest cover loss, land use land cover change, the influence of various parameters on surface waters, and coastal shoreline turtle habitat loss. These projects included the participation of various experts and researchers from diverse fields across various countries across the globe - ranging from marine biology, biodiversity conservation, PNG community management, remote sensing, and land use policy among various others. MDF is managed by a management committee, which is made up of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman, Secretary, the Treasurer, the Project Coordinator, Community Development Officer, and a male and female member of the foundation, and ensures that women participate equally in decision making. We at MDF assert that we have the required skill sets, knowledge, established international network, and the necessary foundational work to undertake projects successfully.

Context

The Morobe Development Foundation Inc. (MDF) has started this research project to delve into the psychological factors influencing women's empowerment and societal standing. The core objective is to conduct a thorough literature review and compile online data that will shed light on the cognitive and emotional underpinnings shaping female empowerment, particularly in the context of Japan. We believe that the good cases in this region are also relevant to other developing regions, such as PNG. This study is pivotal in contributing to the understanding of gender dynamics and aiding the promotion of gender equality, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) on gender equality. To that end, we are seeking to collaborate with Online Volunteers through this assignment. This collaboration will help us to understand the relationship between individual psychological influences and women's rights and their position in society, and whether these psychological dimensions are actually present or not. This study will also inform MDF on best practices for implementation in our community development projects and daily activities, such as encouragement of affirmative action, programme support, psychological counseling, and women's affirmative action in the PNG, especially in the area of psychological services.

Task Description

MDF seeks the support of Online Volunteers for this research project, each focusing on a key aspect of the literature review and data compilation. We will assign each Online Volunteer one of the following tasks: 1. Literature Review in Psychology Two volunteers will be assigned to conduct an exhaustive review of psychological literature, including at least 16 papers on female empowerment and social status, focusing on cognitive and emotional factors. The procedure includes analysing academic papers, journals, and relevant publications. At the end of the literature review, a table needs to be created that includes the literature sources, main ideas, research methodology, findings, and study limitations. This table should be based on a minimum of five literature reviews. 2. Online Data Collection Two volunteers will be assigned to gather relevant data from online sources, including academic databases, social media, and other digital platforms, that reflect societal attitudes and perceptions toward women. Analyse this data to identify trends, patterns, and insights. This includes data from literature confirmed by research, as well as, authoritative data published by specialised websites or relevant administrative departments. Search and collect these data, preferably matching the corresponding visualisation figure. There should be no fewer than three pieces of public data accessible. 3. Report Writing One volunteer will be assigned to write a report of of 2500 words length, including data analyses, based on the results of the work on the two tasks mentioned above.

Competencies and values

Living conditions and remarks