Changing times: States showcase equality initiatives
For the first time in Pacific history, Fiji hosted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), marking a major milestone for the
Women
Lessons from Super W 2025 Super
The Fijian Drua Women ended their Super W 2025 campaign after losing to the Queensland Reds in a high-scoring semi-final in Ballymore in
Pacific leaders call for systemic change to advance women’s political participation
“We need to work across all levels grassroots, traditional, professional, and national to truly change the landscape of political leadership for Pacific women,” said Sashi Kiran, Fiji’s Minister for Women,
Pacific leaders unite for historic CEDAW session in Fiji
Nahla Haidar calls the session a historic first for the region, fostering closer UN-community
Misogyny on the rise: But women fight back
The opening session of the Commission of the Status of Women (CSW) meeting in New York this month heard that “misogyny is on the rise.” Sima Bahous, the Executive Director of UN Women, said women and girls are
PNG needs to end “Horrifying Violence”
A staggering 3.414 million Papua New Guinea women may experience intimate partner violence this year, according to statistics provided by the country’s National Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Secretariat this month. They
Jiwaka MP apologises to women of PNG for grandson’s role in Jenelyn Kennedy’s murder
Jiwaka Provincial Member Simon Kaiwi has publicly apologised in Parliament today to the women of Papua New Guinea for the actions of his grandson, Bhosip Kaiwi, who was convicted for the 2020 murder of Jenelyn Kennedy.
PNG PM apologises to women, girls
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has made an emotional apology on the floor of Parliament to the women, girls, and mothers of Papua New Guinea, expressing deep regret for the pain inflicted by the
Palau’s women leaders’ summit to highlight parental support
Palau’s Director for Domestic Affairs, Eunice Akiwo, has underscored the importance of supporting parents as a key step in adopting a gender-focused approach to family resourcing. At the Pacific welcome reception
Paper victories not enough to change lives, RMI tells CSW69
Gender development laws, targets, and policies have helped the world recognise the barriers posed by inequality, but these ‘paper victories’ won’t be enough to change lives of all women and girls, the
World’s largest conference on women calls for equality amid gender backlash
Gender equality is a critical goal at a time when the demand for rights faces a global backlash, top UN officials told thousands of diplomats, business and civil society delegates gathered at UN Headquarters in New York
2025 Vanuatu official election results: Solitary woman elected to 52-member parliament
Against all odds one woman has secured a seat in Vanuatu’s 52-member parliament. Marie Louis Paulette Milne, one of only seven women among 216 election candidates, secured 1227 votes to pip her closest rival Tony
Vanuatu faces possible return to all-male parliament after snap election
Vanuatu’s only incumbent female parliamentarian has lost her seat in a snap election leaving only one-woman candidate in contention after an unofficial vote count. The unofficial counting at polling locations
Coalition government likely in Vanuatu
Unofficial results in the Vanuatu election show another rainbow coalition is likely, with voters again sending a potpourri of parties to parliament. AAP reports that Vanuatu went to the polls on Thursday in a snap
Historic gains for women as Palau’s 12th National Government takes office
The 12th Palau National Government has been officially installed, marking a peaceful transition of power with a mix of returning and new leaders signaling potential shifts from the past four years. In the Senate,
Solomon Islands loses USD$15.1 million in productivity due to violence
A UN Women costing study shows that Solomon Islands has lost approximately USD$15.1 million in the annual productivity of women in the formal sector due to violence in 2021. This accounts for 1% of the country’s gross
Pacific women coaches excel in world rugby
World Rugby in partnership with leading global insurance brokerage firm, Gallagher, selected two coaches from the Pacific for the Gallagher High Performance
$25.9million donation to advance cervical cancer elimination in the Pacific
The funds will allow Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney to screen thousands of women in seven Pacific countries for cervical
Marshall Islands President Heine receives Women of Impact award
President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Hilda Heine, has been recognised with the East-West Centre’s Women of Impact
Where are the women?
How much of the outcomes from Pacific women leaders' meetings were brought to the Forum Leaders table for discussion this
Women driving change in Fiji’s construction industry
Women in Development and Trade Fiji’s initiatives are driving a significant shift in the traditionally male dominated Fijian construction
Women flourish when they have networks of support: US Ambassador to Fiji
Women flourish when they have networks of support, says Marie C. Damour, the United States Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu. The U.S Embassy, along with its implementing partners, the Women