Any “estimate” is just that, an “estimate” based on whatever method the party doing the estimation employed. The estimate may either be close to the actual (truth) or far away from it depending on the method used. This applies for the population as well. Population estimates are based on methods used by Demographers (generally) in the estimation. Population estimates should never be taken to mean actual or factual. The only factual or rather close to factual will be the census figures (i.e. depending on how credible the census operation is) which we will know after the census is done. Without the Census, we can only project or estimate. PNG needs the Census to be done next year as planned and not delayed further. So, we can know the actual population (or close to actual) for policy and planning purposes. For example, population data is needed to calculate per capita GDP; unemployment rate; employment figures; death rate; population density; incomes; and so forth. Population data is also necessary to plan for the provision of public goods and services such as schools and health facilities, water, electricity, etc. So, do we know the population of Papua New Guinea? The obvious answer is no, in the absence of a recent or current census. But estimates are available, which as mentioned above, are subject to methods employed. The recent UNDP estimate of PNG’s population of 17 million has caused a stir and debate among researchers, academics and public officials and politicians. The NRI estimate of the PNG population for 2022 is 9,422,000 (McMurray and Lavu 2020), which as the authors put it, is conservative. So, the actual population is most probably above the 9.4 million estimate. But how far above that? We will have to wait for the census. A look at past censuses could shed some light. In 1980, the population was 2,881,933. It grew by 25.2% to 3,607,954 in 1990 and by 43.9% to 5,190,786 in 2000 and by 40.2% to 7,275,324 in 2011. NRI’s estimate of 9.422 million is a growth of 29.5% from the 2011 population. The UNDP’s estimate of 17 million is a growth of 133.7% from the 2011 population. Is one of these estimates correct and the other wrong? Not really. Both are just estimates. However, based on the growth rates between past population periods, my inclination is that the population for PNG is between these two estimates but perhaps closer to 9.4 million than 17 million. But the 2023 Population Census cannot come soon enough so, we can know the actual or close to actual for policy and planning purposes.

No injuries were reported after part of a cliff collapsed onto a beach Friday in coastal Palos Verdes Estates in Los Angeles County, the Southern California city said in a statement. The landslide, at 10 a.m. local time, forced the closure of the beach and comes as an atmospheric river event – or a plume of moisture streaming in from the Pacific Ocean . The potent storm system could mean more danger in the area in the coming days, geologist Pat Abbott told CNN affiliate KCBS-TV. “Sea levels are rising, gravity is pulling, and now when you talk about heavy rains coming in, might that be a danger? Oh definitely. That’s going to add to the problem,” Abbott said. Abbott told the station a big landslide is typically followed by “a lot more landslides.” His advice to locals: “Back off.” KCBS-TV footage showed part of the hillside crumbling onto the beach, unleashing a massive dust cloud as rocks and debris pushed a pickup truck across the sand. The pickup was unoccupied. At least one home was evacuated, the station reported. City officials and geologists were reviewing “soil, rock, and groundwater conditions to evaluate the safety of the area and nearby structures,” according to the statement. Most coastal communities will pick up 1 to 3 inches of rain through the weekend, and some areas of northern and central California could receive 3 to 5 inches of rain in total. Coastal erosion and flooded roadways are a major concern. Source: CNN

Medai houses and journalists who abuse ‘freedom of the media’ in Papua New Guinea will be held to account as Government starts working at strengthening this area that has fallen in standards over the years especially with the advent of internet technology today, Prime Minister James Marape said. Prime Minister Marape said today (12.12.22) the Government would do this while taking every care not to compromise the media’s right to the freedom of speech in consultation with the Media Council of PNG. The Prime Minister said: “The Government will now work at holding the media accountable to the highest standard. “In that work to hold media accountable, we will maintain at all cost, freedom of media to write truth. “But once the media crosses to hearsay, fake news, lies and distortions then that organization as well as the individual or individuals who write these reports will be held to account for propagating lies and non-factual reports to the public. “This is because we are nation of a thousand tribes. We are only one or two generations out from modern education and awareness about what is happening in our country and around the world, in the age of real-time information transmission. Through social media, most times as we have seen, false news has run ahead and caused violence, dissensions, tension and stress in our society. “This cannot be allowed to continue and we need to put a stop to it. “Freedom of speech is a qualified right - you have to exercise it with responsibility and due care of others based on truth and facts. Those who write must write actual, factual information so that our country is fed accurate messages and news. “At the moment we see a lot of spin, especially from the two big print media companies, who have their own editorial interests. We saw last week when The National ran an editorial that was completely distorted and out of context from what the Hon. Julie Bishop said at the Sydney mining conference. “We are a robust democracy that includes a free media. But those in the media must not abuse this freedom and take it to suit their own personal or hidden corporate agenda. “Every holder of the pen and member of the media has responsibility to the truth. Reporting must be correct and factual; standard of journalism must be at the highest in our country.” The Prime Minister said this work to strengthen the country’s media would not be done in isolation of the Media Council of PNG who would be consulted in the proposed reforms. “The media, as part of our work to entrench our democracy and strengthen our key institutions, will be looked at and my government will consult the media council to ensure their views are heard. We will put to the council our proposed reform and amendments so we are all on the same page," he said. “I repeat, we will not compromise freedom of speech through the media. I am a staunch supporter of our Constitution but this is so we make our media more responsible and return standards of the media to what it once was.”

The Parliamentary Committee on Communications will be conducting an inquiry into fake news, bad news reporting and social media establishments in the country next year. The inquiry will focus on the role of social media and its impact, in terms of fake news, bad news reporting and related negativities on people, communities, business and politics in the country. This was deliberated and endorsed during the Committee’s first meeting in Parliament on Tuesday 1st December this year. The Committee was established by Parliament in October this year, comprising of the Member for Wau-Waria, Marsh Narewec as the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman is Sam Basil Jr, Member for Bulolo. Other Committee Members include Sasindran Muthuvel, Governor for West New Britain Province, Alexander Orme, Member for Sumkar, Ricky Morris, Member for Alotau, Ereman ToBaining Jr, Member for Kokopo Open, and Simon Dumarinu, Member for Central Bougainville. The functions of the Committee are to consider and report to Parliament on matters concerning the media and information and telecommunication technologies in the country as referred to it by the Minister for Information and Communication Technology, the National Parliament, the Standing Orders of Parliament or through on own initiative by the Committee. The Committee can also consider and report of Parliament on any matters of national importance within its jurisdiction and functions and in accordance with the Permanent Parliamentary Committees Act. Its jurisdiction is in the Media and Information Communication Technology institutions in the country During the meeting, the Committee raised concerns on the level of fake news, and bad news reporting that has been circulating in the social media and print media. This is causing despair and panic among our people. For example, the printing of photographs of dead corpses on the front page of newspapers, distorting of information on social media. The Committee plans to focus on the media next year 2023 and in 2024 onward it will focus on ICT. The Chairman said that “the Committee will hold a public inquiry next year to investigate fake news. The inquiry will focus on the dissemination of fake news and bad news reporting on social and print media”. The inquiry will be open to the public so as to gather views of the people and concern stakeholders will be invited to make submissions to the Committee. With the information gathered, the Committee will prepare a report, with its recommendations to be tabled in Parliament. The Chairman further stated that, “when preparing for the inquiry, I will be inviting the Department of Information Communication Technology, NICTA, Media Council of PNG, NBC and other media outlets and relevant government stakeholders to provide necessary briefings to the Committee. These briefings are very important as they will assist the Committee to get a better understanding of the role of the Media in PNG development aspirations.

Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru and the Governor for West Sepik, Tony Wouwou agreed yesterday that the National Government through the Ministry of International Trade and Investment would fund the bore water supply system and sort out land proposed for the Trade Centre at Wutung while the Provincial Government would get the powerlines from Vanimo to Wutung. “PNG Power Limited had failed us by not getting the powerlines from Vanimo and Wutung though we released funds for that when I was the Minister for National Planning and Monitoring in 2018,” said Minister Maru. Minister Maru urged the Provincial Government to start working on the powerlines as soon as possible. “Start the powerline project now so we can get some action going to show that we are serious,” said Minister Maru. Minister Maru, during his visit to the Wutung Border Post yesterday said that the Border Post had to be sorted out to enable trade and investment with the country’s closest neighbour, Indonesia. “Water and power supply must reach Wutung for the place to operate so we can produce the goods to sell to Indonesia. We currently do not have anything to sell in big quantities so we cannot sign any trade agreement with them; when we have the goods then we can trade with Indonesia so they sell their goods to us and we sell our goods to them. There has to be trade balance so we can benefit from the trade agreement. We must trade so that we can create employment opportunities for our youths in Vanimo but we will trade only when we are producing goods to trade so we can benefit. We cannot sign a deal that is one sided. We must produce our goods so we sell K1 and they sell K1 to us for a balanced trade, otherwise we do not have a trade. And we must have the enabling infrastructure to make it happen, for example, the industrial zone, processing zone, water supply and power supply,” said Minister Maru. The Customs officers at Wutung Border Post reported that most of the products that the Indonesians were buying from Papua New Guineans at the border were PNG beer, coca cola, twisties, biscuits, ox and palm, frozen chicken, lamb flaps and fresh cattle meat. “We have huge potential and a huge market, and there is also big potential in the chicken and cattle industry.hese (chicken and cattle industries) are things that we must do to produce goods to trade to the other side (Indonesia), apart from the industrial park. The raw potential is there but it needs to be developed,” said Minister Maru. Meanwhile, the first Trade Meeting between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea will be held next year to discuss agendas like security, bio security, trade and investment, type of goods to trade, currency, and shipping and air service agreement. Sandaun Provincial Government agreed with Minister Maru for a possible flight route between the two countries to be from Makassar in Indonesia to Vanimo, Lae, Port Moresby and back because Makassar was where more trade was happening while Bali is only a tourism destination. “All these issues will be discussed during the Trade Meeting and I am sure that buying power from Indonesia will also be discussed,” said Minister Maru.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) together with Centre for Arts and Innovation, Tool Box and Credit Union Foundation Australia (CUFA), marked the successful conclusion of the UNDP Entrepreneur Accelerator Programme (EAP) with a Demonstration Day in Port Moresby, on Friday, 9 December 2022. Women entrepreneurs successfully participated in a 6-week business acceleration programme, aimed to enhance their skills and knowledge necessary to strengthen and refine their business ideas, models, planning, and execution. The women-owned and led MSMEs participating in the accelerator programme were then given the opportunity to give their culminating pitch at the end of the EAP. The women-owned and led MSMEs were given an opportunity to showcase the skills and knowledge they gained from the business accelerator course through a business idea presentation to a private sector evaluation panel. This panel was led by the CEO of CPL Group, Mr. Navin Raju and Marketing Manager of National Development Bank, Ms. Mataria Rupa Tau. “It is our hope that the women entrepreneurs will benefit from this multifaceted programme through education, mentorship, and networking opportunities that will help accelerate their business ideas and skills. This is an important initiative to improve and increase the economic empowerment opportunities for women entrepreneurs with skills including digital, financial, and business development to position them to grow and succeed” said Dirk Wagener, UNDP Resident Representative. UNDP Private Sector Partnerships Specialist, Dr. Ahmed Awil, in officially closing the programme said, “we are pleased to celebrate the endeavors and future success of these women as they continue their entrepreneurial journey. We acknowledge the hard work and the resilience of these women entrepreneurs, and we are pleased to continue supporting them.’’ The women entrepreneurs were all very excited in pitching their proposals and have said that following the EAP, they have either gained new customers, learnt to embrace digitalization and market their businesses better, or benefitted from increased revenues and profits, during the 6 weeks and put the theory learned to practice. UNDP was honored to present the top 3 women entrepreneurs with seed capital for their businesses of 10,000 Kina for the top prize to Phyomas Therapy, 6,000 Kina and 4,000 Kina respectively to the second and third runner ups, Margaret’s Kitchen Services Ltd and Jamali Decorations. All of the women entrepreneurs benefitted from the formalization of their businesses were also awarded with smaller seed capital injections. First prize winner Priscilla Mann of Phyomas Therapy, said at the end of the 6 weeks training, “before attending the EAP, I had no knowledge or training about financial literacy or digital marketing. I thought I was managing my business as best I could, but my finances were all over the place, my social marketing skills were lacking and I felt stuck, I knew I needed help and I am glad it came in the form of this EAP training which was a real blessing for me. “ CEO of CPL Group, Mr. Navin Raju closed the prize giving ceremony by congratulating all the women who competed at the UNDP EAP Demo Day, and reaffirmed CPL’s position as a strong supporter of PNG’s MSMEs and recognized the importance of empowering women. “There is a great amount of potential amongst the women here today. You have presented great business propositions and CPL looks forward to working with you in the coming future”. The Entrepreneur Accelerator Programme is part of the UNDP’s Rapid Finance Facility project and is focused on financial inclusion, access to finance and digital financial services for women entrepreneurs and women-owned and led MSMEs. The project has so far trained over 6,700 women entrepreneurs in financial literacy, and 4,000 women in business development and digital literacy skills.

PNG face potentially two play-off matches in February for the tournament being held in New Zealand and Australia later in 2023. In a 20-year playing career Spencer Prior progressed from lower-tier Southern United to Norwich City, Leicester City, Derby County, Manchester City, and Cardiff City before finishing his career in Australia. He won the English League Cup with Leicester City in 1997 and other career highlights include playing in the Norwich side that defeated German giants Bayern Munich in Europe. Now based in Australia, Prior has been assistant coach to the Australian Matildas and head coach of the Thailand women's team. With assistant coach Nicola Williams he is overseeing the PNG squad and taking them through their paces, including during a three-week block in Sydney followed by more time in Port Moresby. The 22-strong squad is now back in Australia and is likely to be bolstered by at least two more players. Last month the team competed in a four-nations tournament in Canberra during which they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Fiji, then suffered a shock 3-0 reverse to Solomon Islands. Illness prevented them from tackling the Australian U-20 side in the scheduled final match. Asked about his observations of the team so far, Prior said they were "getting better". "That would be a pretty short assessment. When we saw them in Canberra it was quite a long way off of where they need to be, but they knew that. The thing was they hadn't kicked the ball in about ten weeks (since the Oceania Nations Cup in July) so you can't do that and then just rock up and expect to perform in a tournament. "So it kind of opened their eyes to where they actually were at, but having then had them for three weeks in Sydney we started to get them back to levels where they were before and getting them even further ahead. So we know that by the time we get to February we need them to be a in a much better place and we've got a new camp to give ourselves the best chance of that. The team plays The Philippines twice in games that will provide a good test, as their opponents have already qualified for the finals. "We know where we need to get. I'm not sure we are exactly where we wanna be but the forthcoming games against the Philippines will give us a good benchmark as to how we've progressed since the tournament in Canberra," he said. Prior wasn't going to dwell on the results in that mini tournament, pointing out that the team has since changed and he now has a full squad at his disposal. "Credit to Fiji and Solomon Islands for they way they performed in those games, but we didn't have the full team at that stage and hadn't had any preparation. So they came in cold. In a way though it was a good thing because it showed them where they were in terms of their level, and that wasn't acceptable for what they're looking for. "It was literally just after that tournament that we stepped in and started to make the changes we needed to make." The Englishman now has the task of getting his charges up to speed as a game against Panama looms in Auckland on February 17 in the first stage of the Intercontinental Playoffs for the 2023 Women's World Cup being co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia. Win that tie and they face either Taiwan or Paraguay four days later for a place at the finals. This is effectively the biggest match PNG have played in women's football. Prior is aware of the importance, but admits they're behind the eight-ball. "Essentially, we're trying to do in three-and-a-half months what the other teams have spent three-and-a-half years preparing for. We know that we'll be up against it. "But anything can happen over two games of football just depending on how you set them up and how physically they're prepared for it. We've put a lot of focus particularly in the last block of training on their conditioning. We've got warm-up games and training matches before Christmas so we're exposing the girls to a different environment, and different ways of playing." As part of the motivation process, Prior took all the players on a tour of the stadium in Sydney in which they would play in if they manage to qualify for the finals. Having spent some considerable time with the players, Prior has gotten to know them far better as people and has found many positives from that time. "They're the most respectful group of players I think I have ever coached. They're wonderful humans off the pitch and it's going really well working with them. On the pitch we're challenging them every day and pushing them as hard as we can without breaking them physically or mentally. But we're just trying to push them beyond their comfort zone." The players will return to PNG from Sydney three days before Christmas and after the new year go through an intensive programme to get them ready for their finals tilt. "I'm confident and I'll back the team, and believe that what we're doing will give us the best chance to get past ... I don't want to say the two games because I don't want to look too far ahead, but certainly try to get that first one over the line." PNG play Panama on February 19 in Auckland and should they win that, play either Taiwan or Paraguay four days later for a place at the World Cup. Source:rnz.com

Chilean officials have put a safety warning in place after a volcano sent an eruptive column 6,000m (almost 20,000ft) into the sky. Lascar volcano, which sits in the Andes, rumbled into action on Saturday, triggering minor earth tremors. No damage in the surrounding area has so far been reported, but an initial green warning was raised to yellow. Chile's National Geology and Mining Service (Sernageomin) defines "yellow" as meaning a volcano is unstable. The classification also means experts are monitoring a site for minor explosions and appearances of smoke, according to Sernageomin. Residents of Talabre, Antofagasta, a small town less than 12km (7 miles) from the volcano, first noticed some activity at around midday. Despite the giant cloud of smoke that Lascar emitted - comprising volcanic ash and hot gases - no homes are thought to have been damaged. Authorities have set up a no-entry perimeter 5km from the volcano's crater. Lascar, in the north of the country, is 70km from San Pedro de Atacama, a popular tourist destination for trekking and visits to the Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth. Source: BBC

In Papua New Guinea, women and children experience some of the highest rates of violence in the world. Nationally, about 1.5 million people per year experience gender-based violence, with most perpetrators (81%) being husbands or partners, according to the PNG special parliamentary committee on GBV. More than half of the country’s women aged 15-49 have experienced violence, and a third have experienced sexual violence, according to the PNG Demographic and Health Survey (2016-2018). Notably, only about a third of survivors seek support, according to the PNG Demographic and Health Survey (2016-2018). As a survivor of family violence herself, ANGAU Memorial Provincial Hospital’s Family Support Centre (FSC) Nurse Manager, Sister Anastacia Wakon is passionate about supporting survivors of violence. Prior to the Family Support Centre, Sister Wakon worked with the hospital’s Emergency Department and directly treated survivors of family and sexual violence. She witnessed how the high influx at the Emergency Department meant they were unable to medically treat all patients for physical injuries and many were sent away. Initially Sister Wakon worked solo in the FSC, but over the years the workforce has grown, and she now leads a team of 13 women providing a comprehensive approach to addressing family and sexual violence. The team consists of eight nurses, two social workers, one community health worker, one data entry officer and a hygiene officer. The FSC staff provide physical and mental health support to survivors and assist with police investigations when required. Sister Wakon is grateful to have an improved Family Support Centre that enables her team to support twice the number of women.

East New Britain Governor Michael Marum is calling on a united effort from all stakeholders to rebuild Rabaul town, a potential tourist destination. The Governor made this call when paying a courtesy visit to the Rabaul Urban LLG office on Friday Dec 9. He was accompanied by ENB acting provincial administrator Levi Mano and deputy provincial administrator for Districts and LLGs Nicholas Larme. The team also did inspections on roads in Rabaul, port services and Queen’s Park. He commended the tireless efforts of longtime residents and government officers that have committed themselves over the years to Rabaul, down the road to recovery and confronting challenges of hardships as they went. However he stressed that for the once- famous town to improve especially with its roads, port handling of large cargo vessels and other vital services, there needs to be a collective approach to dealing these issues. He said discussions must commence with political leaders, stakeholders, private sector and the public to move the town forward so it is not seen only as an outstation. “Only if we work together we can achieve positive outcome. Let’s talk about fixing small things and then big things will fall in line,” he said. The Governor cited the successful revival of the iconic Queen’s Park in Rabaul which has allowed for a great platform for sportsmanship among youths, empowerment of youths and small SMEs. “We have to start somewhere or else we will be waiting forever,” he said. Rabaul town manager, Joshua Wowo acknowledged the visit by the Governor and the acting PA assuring them that though faced with challenges, officers will undertake efforts to build back Rabaul town through its services, as Rabaul town is the face of Rabaul district.

Sexual harassment on the street will be made a crime with jail sentences of up to two years, the government has said. Catcalling, following someone and blocking their path will be criminalized in England under plans backed by the Home Secretary. "Every woman should feel safe to walk our streets," Suella Braverman said. Sexual harassment is already illegal but it is hoped creating a new offence for street harassment will encourage more people to report it to police. "We are putting the needs of victims at the heart of our decision, which will mean the criminals who commit these acts face the consequences they deserve," Ms Braverman said. A survey by pollsters YouGov for the BBC, published in March, suggested two-thirds of women did not feel safe walking alone at night, at least some of the time. Females under 34 are most likely to be the target of sexual offences but the least likely to report them, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The Crown Prosecution Service, which decides whether to take cases to court, recently updated its advice to staff about street harassment. The new guidelines also cover offences like exposure, stalking and sexual assault. The murder of Sarah Everard, who was abducted and killed by a serving policeman while walking home in south London last year, has also increased concerns over women's safety and attitudes towards women. Six months later, primary school teacher Sabina Nessa, 28, was murdered in south London by a man she had never met. The government will now back legislation tabled by former business secretary Greg Clark. Mr Clark said the intention of the bill is "to reinforce a change in the culture that establishes that it is completely unacceptable to abuse women in the streets". During a debate in the House of Commons, Mr Clark said: "Public sexual harassment can affect men and boys, but we should be clear that it disproportionately affects women and girls." The backbencher's bill aims to criminalise: Deliberately walking closely behind someone as they walk home at night Making obscene or aggressive comments towards a person Making obscene or offensive gestures towards a person Obstructing a person's path Driving or riding a vehicle slowly near to a person making a journey As it stands, the bill will also introduce harsher sentences - increasing the maximum sentences from six months to two years. Campaigners have also called for wolf-whistling and staring intently to be criminalised. In July, then home secretary Priti Patel launched a consultation on making street harassment a specific crime. The Home Office has now concluded it should be introduced after "the significant majority" of respondents were in favour. Earlier this year, the Independent Government Adviser for Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, Nimco Ali claimed the government had blocked the legislation. Labour's shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, welcomed the government backing a new law. She said: "Any action to tackle the epidemic of violence against women and girls is welcome, but the government must now go further and faster." The Home Office - the government department in charge of policing - recently launched a campaign encouraging people to call out harassment. It's called Enough and you might have seen posters for it popping up on public transport over the past month or so. The adverts - mainly aimed at men - suggest ways for people to intervene if they see someone being harassed.   Source: BBC

“See our ability and not our disability and accept us into the community, accept us into the workforce and utilise us to the best in doing things in the workforce, community and in homes.” This was the main call of the People with disabilities (PWD) from the Disable People Organisation (DPO) in East New Britain. Making this call on behalf of the PWD Commander Barracks East New Britain Inspector Edward Gigi who is an amputee. They made this call on Tuesday during the International Disability Day (IDD) celebration hosted by the provincial Division of Community Development division at Kokopo market park. PWD guardians, parents, friends, health officers and the public gathered for the short program starting with a march from the Ralum police headquarter to the Kokopo public market. The PWD accompanied by special students as well participated in the special event with the theme, ‘remove barriers, make rights real’. The event aimed to promote injustice accessibility for people with special needs and those living with disabilities. Inspector Gigi shared that most of them have disability and are employed and try their best to work hard to show that they can perform but others are being turn down due to their disability. He said he is one that is fighting for the rights of the PLWDs to be recognised as there is no proper recognition and inclusive PLWDs to acknowledge their existence and involve them in program, development and the delivery of services. “We get looks, discrimination in the village or in the work place and people we talked to and approached or the authorities that we work for it is not easy for us.” “We are all covered under the constitution we are just the same as you able people and we all have challenges we will be put down and my encouraged to my fellow disabilities that we will not stop in participating in the development in the country,” said Inspector Gigi. Chairlady of the Disable People Organisation (DPO) Ellen Royal said that PWD have always been categorized as people who are vulnerable and are to be sympathized with. “Disability is not a new thing it has been here and is in the law before we gain independence so we are recognised and also have the right like any other normal people and we should not be treated unfairly and vulnerable or feel sorry for,” she said. Mrs Royal thanked the current provincial government for recognizing DPO adding that now they feel that they are part of the government because the provincial government is supporting them now since the shift from health division to the government. She appealed to the public to see PWDs as equal and stop stigmatizing them as they too have skills and talents but are hesitant to come to come out because of discrimination. Mrs Royal said the community and the family needed to identify the skills and talents of the PWDs and assist them so that they can excel. She gave an example that despite her disability of low vision she can do house cores like any normal mother does.