Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, is proposing that corporal punishment be re-introduced in schools.
Addressing the Say No to Violence Against Women protest march in Port Moresby yesterday, he said strict discipline would help counter the lawlessness prevalent in many parts of the country.
Sir Michael also said capital punishment was a law introduced to deter crimes such as wilful murder, but many people in the country used Christianity as an excuse to stop the law being used.
He promised government action on various issues raised in the petition the marchers handed to him, including reviewing licences to public motor vehicle operators and a proposal for separate vehicles for school children.