MANY young girls and women disregard societal values, lack manners, have no interest and pride in their culture and cannot be relied on as contributing members to society.
But these trends, say Papua New Guinea (PNG) representatives at the 4th Pacific Strategy Meeting for Girl Guides Associations in the Pacific, can be changed through character building.
PNG rep and Madang Province Girl Guides commander Norah Eruel said the association was geared towards character building and was well equipped to stop the trend.
"The association can guide these young girls and women to their full potential. It will build their confidence, give them a sense of pride in themselves and their culture and instill values and humility and willingness to serve," Ms Eruel said.
"It will also instill skills and values in them to ensure they become responsible and contributing members of society, uplift their lives and give them a sense of direction."
She and PNG Girl Guides Association national trainer, Lillian Mirisa collectively said it was a challenge to recruit members in PNG.
"We are a big country so we have a big challenge in winning the hearts of young girls and women. There has been an increase in our membership. We now have 2700 and by 2014 we hope to reach 5000," Ms Mirisa said.
"We're also getting to the other reps. We've been sharing ideas and learning about new activities and methods in terms of our work."
They will present a report on the progress and status of PNG's Girl Guides Association in terms of the six core areas - education, training for adults, membership, structure and management, relationship to society and finance.