Women in leadership the game-changer: DG Faerua

December 3, 2024 10:28 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

Women in leadership is the game-changer.

The Director General (DG) of the Ministry of Justice and Community Services (MoJCS), Arthur Faerua, made the above remarks following the 30th review of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA+30), held from 19–21 November 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Vanuatu joined other Asia-Pacific nations at this conference, which focused on addressing challenges in implementing the BPfA and reviewing progress towards gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The country’s participation provided an opportunity to assess its progress on the 12 key areas of concern outlined in the BPfA as part of the BPfA+30 periodical review.

“Vanuatu is committed to completing its BPfA+30 report, which was submitted in June 2024,” said DG Faerua.

“Attending the conference was essential for comparing progress with other Asia-Pacific nations and identifying areas for further improvement.

“While we can sometimes be insular in our perspective, it’s important to consider the broader regional context. This conference has allowed us to evaluate collective progress in the Asia-Pacific region and pinpoint areas where Vanuatu still needs to advance.”

The BPfA+30 review also examined gender equality achievements across the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Vanuatu’s Country Report on BPfA implementation highlighted challenges over the past five years, including cyclones, floods, drought, the coconut rhinoceros beetle infestation, and the COVID-19 pandemic. These crises hindered gender equality efforts, worsening vulnerabilities for women and girls, particularly in the informal sector.

The pandemic further increased caregiving burdens, food insecurity, and domestic violence, while Cyclones Judy and Kevin contributed to Gender-Based Violence (GBV), child abuse, mental stress, and barriers to women’s leadership.

Following the conference, DG Faerua outlined three priority areas for Vanuatu: Women in power and decision-making, Women and Health, and Human Rights, with a focus on inclusivity and disability.

“Women in leadership is the game-changer. This isn’t just about political leadership but also leadership across all sectors — local and national government, business, and institutions,” Faerua emphasised.

He stressed the importance of improving policies on women’s health, such as maternity leave, and addressing inclusivity for women with disabilities.

“One issue I’ve noticed is that women pursuing further studies often face stigma from employers who refuse to grant them leave. This can be addressed through policy changes. Supporting women in this way will empower them and improve their sense of belonging,” he added.

Faerua concluded that these adjustments would not only benefit women but also lead to broader societal and economic advancements for Vanuatu.

The Vanuatu delegation in this conference also included the Executive Director of Sista, Ms Yasmine Bjornum, and Vanuatu National Youth Council (VNYC) representative, Ms Georgilla Worwor.

As an observer representing Vanuatu Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Ms Bjornum praised the Vanuatu government’s openness to engagement and collaboration, which she found encouraging and insightful.

She commented on the outcome of the event, stating that while she appreciated seeing Vanuatu’s progress on Beijing 30+ compared to other Pacific countries, she felt Vanuatu and other Pacific nations “really need our own space.” 

According to her, being grouped with Asia, a much larger and louder region, often means that a significant amount of time is dedicated to issues unrelated to the works being done in Vanuatu.

Ms Worwor, the youth representative, emphasised the importance of youth participation in the B+30 review. She appreciated being given a government seat at the Ministerial Conference, which she saw as a significant recognition of youth voices in decision-making.

“I’m happy with the youth participation, and I’m grateful that our government has provided us with this opportunity. It shows they recognise the importance of youth voices in decision-making and our collective future,” she said. 

Ms Worwor encouraged young people to understand their proximity to decision-makers. “What was significant for me during the B+30 review was having the chance to sit at the table with DG Faerua,” she said.

“That experience symbolises our country’s potential for change. I want young people to realise that we aren’t as far from decision-makers as we may think. Our voices matter, and we need to use them strategically and effectively.”