Women leaders and activists gather for festival

The Vanuatu Women’s Festival has brought together 85 participants for a two days in Port Vila to discuss priorities for advancing gender equality in Vanuatu.

Participants comprises women leaders, government stakeholders, young activists, civil society organizations and community representatives.

Held under the theme “One culture, one language, one journey — together we unite the women of Vanuatu with a new vision”, the festival was organized by a working group made up of representatives from civil society organisations and partner institutions.

Members included representatives from UN Women; CARE International in Vanuatu; Further Arts; Port Vila City Council of Women; Vanuatu Human Rights Coalition; Youth Challenge Vanuatu, and Sista.

The event formed part of the National Feminist Forum and the 4th Pacific Feminist Forum, creating a space for participants to share experiences, reflect on progress towards national and international gender equality commitments, and discuss key issues including women’s political leadership, sexual and reproductive health and rights, the impacts of climate change on women and how to heal the women’s movement.

The festival was opened by Director General of the Ministry of Justice Cherol Ala who remembered the women leaders who set the foundational work for the Women’s Movement today.

“The Vanuatu Women’s Festival is a space for connection, reflection, sharing and collective action,” she said.

“we are all part of the work that the Government has committed to under the National Gender Equality policy, we are all implementors and today marks a new dawn, bringing government and civil society into the room to talk about these issues and embrace new thinking.”

Member of Parliament (MP) Marie-Louise Milne also addressed participants on a panel about women’s political leadership with former MP Julia King, Port Vila Municipal Councilor Anthea Arukole and President of Silae Vanua, Jeanette Wallace.

MP Milne reflected on the challenges women continue to face in leadership and the need for greater representation in political decision-making.

“Women already play leadership roles in our communities, churches and families,” she said. “The challenge is ensuring that this leadership is also reflected in our national decision-making spaces.”

The festival also recognised the legacy of late Grace Mera Molisa, whose work continues to inspire advocacy for women’s rights and gender equality in Vanuatu.

The Vanuatu Women’s Festival, as part of the National Feminist Forum and 4th Pacific Feminist Forum, is supported by Pacific Women Lead at the Pacific Community, funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the We Rise Coalition. Organisers also acknowledged the support of UN Women and CARE in Vanuatu in helping deliver the event.

A Call to Action was agreed during the discussions.