Miss Mariel Verroya1
1Griffith University, Nathan, Australia
Biography:
Mariel Dominique Verroya is a PhD Candidate at the School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University. She is a research team member on the Australian Research Council-funded Discovery Project, The Politics of Expertise During Covid-19. Her thesis examines the forms of exclusion and inclusion of gender expertise on scientific committees.
Abstract:
Papua New Guinea is labelled the most dangerous place to be a woman, where two out of three women have experienced forms of physical abuse from their husbands. Bride price remains a widely prevalent cultural tradition in PNG and is the most cited reason for domestic violence. To better understand this practice, this qualitative study examines how bride price has been framed by mainstream media using Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA). Bride price remains a source of security for Papua New Guinean women, it also signifies a family's commitment to a marriage and provides resources for a woman’s future. However, the framing of this practice greatly influences its perception, and the expectations tied to it. Sensationalized narratives often overshadow its nuanced realities, depicting bride price as a transactional exchange that commodifies women rather than a culturally significant ritual. These portrayals tend to amplify inherent resentment towards the economic burden placed on men and their families, reinforcing stereotypes about patriarchal dominance and financial exploitation. Exoticized and dramatized images leave little room for open and balanced conversations about its evolving role in modern societies. The focus on the transactional nature often overshadows its function as a form of social contract and familial bond. This study aims to shed light on the nuanced nature of the practice, one that is often misunderstood, and its framing overtime.