Crass Roots

In a part of the world where, historically, women have been women, and the men glad of it, observers of social change have been intrigued to note the rise of movements promoting equality of the sexes. For instance, male students at the University of Papua New Guinea are being asked to take part in what was formerly the Miss UPNG beauty contest. Pauline Toliman, contest co-ordinator, said female students had resolved to ask the men to participate in a Miss and Mister UPNG contest. The girls’ reasons were not very clearly explained; it was apparently either to exhibit their lack of prejudice or, perhaps, to put pressure on the men over theirs.

The contest, to be held on July 13, has as its theme, ’’Promotion of Culture!’

But, as Grass Roots, the PNG Post-Courier’s resident cartoonist, observed with his usual wry comment upon PNG life, the contest offered men a chance to mix their ancient and modern customs