Opinion: The fifth-child rule: Marshall Islands’ maternity leave policy affronts local customs and tradition
Now that we have the most women (four) in the history of the Marshall Islands in the Nitijela (parliament), including a woman president, Hilda C. Heine, I believe it is time to address and change the archaic Marshall
All female Pacific crew set to sail Hinemoana II for research on whales
An all-female Pacific-crewed expedition is to set sail from New Zealand’s North Island for scientific research on whale populations. The Hinemoana II is set to leave the Bay of Plenty in mid-July and arrive in
Women make up just six percent of candidates for Solomon Islands election
The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission has revealed the number of women candidates running at the 2024 national election will be just six percent of the total number of candidates contesting, lower than the previous
Penina Pasifika women’s rugby team arrives in Australia
The recently formed Penina Pasifika women’s rugby team has touched down in Australia and is gearing up for their inaugural match against the Queensland Reds in the Super Rugby Women pre-season tournament. Local
Pacific women and online abuse
Fijian women are bearing the brunt of online abuse, says the country’s Online Safety Commission (OSC). The OSC says 61.44% of Fijian women experience this form of violence while men account for 38.56%. Facebook
Fijian feminists launch new booklet in a call to action against poverty
Many tears and heartfelt stories were shared in Suva this week at the launch of a new booklet that highlights the socio-economic challenges that Fijian women, girls, and gender-diverse people face on a daily basis.
Galoa women turning trash to cash
In Fiji, a group of 15 dedicated women has been doing their part to create a circular economy by turning plastic trash into cash for the last four years. Based in the coastal village of Galoa, the Bulikula Women’s
Galoa women turning trash into cash
In Fiji, a group of 15 dedicated women has been doing their part to create a circular economy by turning plastic trash into cash. Based in the coastal village of Galoa, the Bulikula Women’s Plastics Group was
Vanuatu’s first women’s rugby league team already winners, says manager
Vanuatu’s first-ever rugby league team in the women’s category will add to the excitement building in Honiara for the 2023 Pacific Games, with Vanuatu Rugby League (VRL) founding member and team manager of
Pacific women face most discrimination in legal profession, survey finds
The Pacific Lawyers Association is concerned Pacific women are the most discriminated against group within the legal profession in New Zealand. The NZ Law Society has just released a new legal workplace survey which
SPBD businesswomen lauded at annual awards
The Vodafone Arena in Suva last week was full-packed with radiant businesswomen celebrating their efforts at the 12th annual South Pacific Business Development awards. SPBD Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Greg
Careers in ocean science beckons to young Pacific women
Pacific young women are taking a greater interest in protecting our oceans for the future. At last week’s inaugural conference on ocean science and ocean management in Nadi, Fiji, Tanga Morris Jnr, 26, said that
Pacific women leaders urged to support each other, and all women
“From the beginning, we were created to stand by each other, to support each other. It is through the patriarchal design that got us here today where we must also find the solution.” That was the message from
Can Women’s World Cup have spin-offs across the Pacific?
The Women’s World Cup being co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia is showcasing the two countries to the world. With games played in excellent stadiums with the world’s best players on show, there are clear
AS Academy Feminine win first-ever OFC Women’s Champions League in Port Moresby
AS Academy Féminine have come from behind to beat Koloale FC 4-1 and deservedly win the inaugural OFC Women’s Champions League title in Port Moresby. The New Caledonian side, who needed at least a draw to clinch
Kalifa makes history at inaugural OFC Women’s Champions League
Florencina Kalifa made history when she scored Kiwi FC’s first goal of the inaugural OFC Women’s Champions League tournament in Port Moresby on Monday. The 13-year-old striker is the youngest player competing at the
Samoa climb World Rugby Women’s rankings
Samoa are now the highest ranked of the Pacific Island nations after their thrilling 19-18 victory over Fiji in the final round of the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship 2023 at Bond University on Australia’s Gold
Cassie Siataga inspires Samoa to first Oceania crown
Cassie Siataga held her nerve to kick Samoa to a dramatic 19-18 victory against Fiji that secured a first ever Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship title and their place in WXV 2. Following an epic decider on
Pacific feminists: Doing work that matters
More than 150 feminists, women’s rights defenders and human rights activists from 20 countries in the Pacific region are sharing, learning and strategising at the 3rd Pacific Feminist Forum (PFF) this week. The
The silent fight for equality in rugby: Sereima Leweniqila
While we hear a lot of lip service given to equality for women in sport, especially in rugby, what is it really like for women in the game? Fiji’s Sereima Leweniqila is a former Fijiana captain, Fijiana Drua captain
Thirty years of the Vanuatu Women’s Centre: Her Story
On 30 August 1992, three ni-Vanuatu women were on a plane back home to Port Vila, after attending a workshop in Suva with grassroots women from across the Pacific region. Three days later, the Vanuatu Women’s Centre
Development, Indigeneity and existing tables
For real and collective development, we must stop insisting on localising strategies, frameworks, tools, or whatever else our Pacific communities keep getting fed with, because it worked somewhere else. We require
Early gains for gender and climate change text at COP27
After a week of technical negotiations on the draft climate and gender text, the Pacific lead on gender and climate change, Eunice Dus is quietly optimistic of the gains made here in Sharm El Sheikh to push for language
