April Newsletter 2022

May 27, 2022 | Newsletters | 0

This month we were required to ensure our office was abiding by COVID-19 safety protocol. This meant we had to work from home for a few days as our Senior Finance and Admin officer undertook a course to ensure safe business operations, as we awaited approval from the Ministry of Health to sign off on our Standard Operating Procedures.

The Ministry of Health approved our SOP while also lifting restrictions for Port Vila, allowing public gatherings which meant we could plan for the remaining activities for this financial year. We are incredibly blessed that the community outbreak has not been as fatal as other countries and we are thankful to our frontliners for doing their best to keep us safe! We are also thrilled that our borders are finally opening in July and we can connect more with our regional partners and work.

Projects

Sista Gat Style, Vanuatu Daily Post

This month we are featuring the amazing Inspector Lily Joel Mawa. Hailing from the tiny island of Epi, Lily has travelled the world and has enjoyed seeing new places and people.

A woman devoted to the service of her country; this is Lily’s 29th year of being in the Police Force. A proud single mama and a sewing and baking enthusiast, Lily has dreams of starting up a cooking and sewing business one day as a way to support single mothers.

Lily lives by the quote “Persistence is the key to success” and lives each day giving the best of herself, whether it’s to her children, her service as a police woman or to her own self!

Dress by Eliane Thomas – Eliane Passion Sewing & Designs

Inspector Lily was wearing an outfit from Eliane Passion Sewing and Designs. Eliane Thomas is a fashion designer from the island of Ambae, Penama province. Her designs were inspired by her mother who was a tailor, Eliane started sewing as a young girl. She was inspired to start sewing again four years ago to create clothing that was suitable and unique to her.

Penpena Mouri – Distribution of packs to single mothers at Ekipe community, FRIDA FUND

On April 19th, Sista supported Penpena Mouri, a grassroots organisation that empowers single mothers, to distribute packs to 23 single mothers at Ekipe community and hold an activity promoting self worth. The need to support single mothers during the time of Covid community transmission and lockdown was highlighted during these vulnerable times.

This activity was made possible through the FRIDA Fund to support single mothers.

Collecting VAWG and GBV resources, Spotlight Initiative

Sista and HCDI are collecting VAWG (Violence against women) and GBV (Gender based violence) resources from stakeholders in Vanuatu, under the grant of the Spotlight Initiative, to create an online resource hub where all stakeholders can freely access and utilize GBV resources, tools and materials for training and other useful information.

This has been challenging as we have restrictions with many organisations working from home, or not allowing face to face meetings. Another challenge is that many hard copies are no longer available in soft copy.

This has required us to either scan or retype the information, and only highlights the need for a library so that soft copies are not lost.

Conducting survey on Sexual Harassment in the workplace – Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM)

As part of our work with FWRM, we are trying to understand the prevalence of sexual harassment in the workplace. FWRM has been leading this work in the region and we contextualized the work to Vanuatu context, and disseminated online surveys in Bislama and English through our social media platforms.

We also contacted the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry who positively responded and disseminated the survey throughout their networks and newsletter. We also did phone call interviews as we were restricted with Covid-safety protocol at the time.

The purpose of collecting this information is to help us to design and implement changes to protect women’s rights in Vanuatu.

This work is being implemented by Sista with the support of the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement through the European Development Fund under the project- Safe Workplaces: Translating commitments into meaningful change for Pacific Women.

Planning and preparation

The Roundtable – PACMAS and We Rise Coalition

On April 26 Markson Taiki came into the office to discuss how this upcoming podcast will look like and basically laid down a foundation in our planning. Sista’s very first episode of the ‘The Roundtable’ podcast will be coming out VERY soon, so stay tuned!

Other

GO! Cyber presentation

The Executive Director had the opportunity to present our GO! Cyber work to cyber security officers at PaCSON and ABCID team on Tuesday 12th April.

The ED explored the challenges and issues that young women face online and shared our approach on working on this project.

The CARE team also presented the impacts and reach of the campaign.

We Rise Steering Committee Meeting

On 27th April, the Executive Director attended the first steering committee meeting for the We Rise Coalition and discussed the new leadership model, planning for year 4 and guiding structures for meetings.

Gender and Protection Cluster Meeting

The Executive Director and Program and Finance Manager attended a Gender and Protection Cluster meeting on 28th April and updated the cluster on activities related to Covid response and filled out the 4 W’s (What, When, Where, Who).

Sista has identified the vulnerability of single mothers during the pandemic and intends to work more closely with them in the months to come to collect data to inform actions for support.

CORE PROJECTS FINANCE REPORTING

Spotlight Merchandise budgeting and procurement for the upcoming launching of the Stanap Strong Akensem Vaelens website is also in progress and now Sista Finance Department is preparing payment transactions to service providers and finance reporting of the overall Spotlight Initiative Grant Budget.

We Rise Coalition and Care Finance reporting was also due this month but has been kindly requested to be postponed to back to the first week of May now that the curfew has been uplifted and everyone is slowly transitioning to the new normal.

COVID -19 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR SISTA OFFICE

Regina, Sista’s Senior Finance & Admin Officer has attended VCCI’s COVID 19 Safe Business Operating Training and received an SBO certificate as Sista’s official Safety Officer.

New team members

On April 19 we welcomed a new team member; Chanelle Bjornum, her role at Sista will be the Office Manager & Project Support Leader. We also opened our doors to the lovely Sarah Freeman from Gate Minds as well as Nerolyn kapapa. We also welcomed Sharon Nicholls who will be working on our podcast, The Roundtable!

We are so grateful to have them here learning and growing with us, Welcome ladies!

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NEWS

Mother shares premature birth experience during COVID-19 November 20, 2023
As part of the commemoration of the 2023 Prematurity Day in Port Vila yesterday, Miss Debbie Melsul, the mother of a premature baby shared her experience about her tough journey as a parent of a baby born during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2022. The baby came early at just 32 weeks, weighing only 0.89 grams. She shared how they had to be separated because of COVID-19, making it a challenging time. The baby had to stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and the mother had to wait at home until she tested negative for COVID-19 before she could see her child again after a week. For eight weeks in the NICU, “it was hard and challenging. I was flooded with thoughts of what I could have done as a preemie mum to prevent this. I was terrified. I cried for my son. I’m sure other mothers present today had felt the same thing,” she shared. Ms Melsul continued, “I cried seeing my son had tubes all over him. I was anxious. It was a roller coaster experience. Some days you think everything is going well, and the others, there may be complications.” The journey had its share of problems like an infection in the baby’s umbilical cord, which lasted for a week, and trouble with feeding. But the mom stayed strong. She stayed at the NICU, where days became weeks, which turned into months. Melsul said she and other preemie mothers had to wake up every three hours to feed their babies. She found comfort in a special kind of care called kangaroo care, commonly known as skin-to-skin care, where she held her baby close against her skin. “I found myself singing to my son during kangaroo care. Talking, laughing, and above all, feeling his heartbeat against my chest. That was all that mattered during my journey,” she said. Even when things got tough, a team of doctors and nurses, were supportive. She acknowledged that teamwork was displayed by a dynamic team of nurses and doctors working together and looking after their babies. The mom is thankful for their hard work and also appreciates the help from her family. Her son is currently one year and eight months old, wearing extra-large diapers, and weighs over 17 kilograms. Ms Melsul expressed her utmost gratitude to the nurses and doctors. The mother’s message to others in similar situations is full of hope. “To mothers out there going through the same situation, you will get through this. Those little humans are fearless fighters. The courage and strength that a tiny little human holds is phenomenal and amazing. Just as the banners read, ‘Small actions, big impact’. For each day that passes, be optimistic. Be faithful in the small things. “Believe in small actions of care provided to our little humans, because that makes progress.” A young father who is also a first-time father, also shared his experience of having premature twin-baby girls. The twins were discharged from the hospital on Thursday this week. Junior Pakoa mentioned that he learned a lot from the experienced nurses in the NICU. According to Pakoa, his babies spent three weeks at the NICU before they left for home. He said it was a challenging time because one of the twins was really sick. The young father stood by his partner, the mother of the babies, and together they took care of their little ones. He pointed out how important it is for both parents to be there for their newborns. He also thanked the nurses and doctors who supported them during their stay at the NICU. ________________________________________________________ SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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1,816 sign petition as effort to end political instability November 17, 2023
Over 1,816 citizens representing different sectors and voices, going under the Movement Red, have signed a petition urging parliamentarians to urgently discuss and pass Bills addressing political integrity. Yesterday 164 people took to the streets with signs expressing concerns about instability, with messages like “Stopem Instabiliti tede”, “Stop the Nonsense”, “Tede yu kosem instabiliti, tumoro mi vot”, “Yumi Taet” and “We deserve better”. The petition reflects the worries of Vanuatu’s people about ongoing political instability, especially important post-cyclone recovery. The petition reads; “Political instability is disrupting Vanuatu’s development and service delivery to our communities across all islands. It fuels policy inconsistencies, interrupts development projects, hinders economic development and planning, discourages foreign investment, affects employment opportunities, and wastes the Vanuatu Government’s limited funds. “Political instability reduces confidence in national leadership, divides communities, and diverts resources away from essential services: healthcare, education, infrastructure, social welfare and emergency relief efforts. Political instability harms Vanuatu’s international reputation and credibility. “Achieving the goals of the National Sustainable Development Plan 2016-2030 is essential for our nation’s development and prosperity. Vanuatu needs to ensure that no one is left behind, but political instability hinders this path for us all. “The package of Bills in support of enhanced political integrity in Vanuatu is an important foundation for fostering a stable, transparent, and accountable political system that facilitates our country’s sustainable development objectives. “We, undersigned, concerned voters of the Republic of Vanuatu call upon Parliament to re-table and prioritize the implementation of the political integrity Bills and legal reforms as listed for the Second Ordinary Session of Parliament for 2023: Bill for the Political Parties Registration Act of 2023, Bill for the Electoral Act of 2023, Bill for the Decentralization (Amendment) Act of 2023, Bill for the Municipalities (Amendment) Act of 2023, Bill for the Referendum Act of 2023, Bill for the Right to Information (Amendment) Act of 2023, Bill for the Charitable Associations (Incorporations) (Amendment) Act of 2023.” In response, Prime Minister (PM) Charlot Salwai commended the citizens for delivering the petition personally, emphasising the importance of the Parliament as the place where laws are passed. He thanked the protesters for their efforts and stressed that elections are everyone’s responsibility, urging citizens, chiefs, churches, and women leaders to contribute to peace and stability. PM Salwai acknowledged the challenge of increased candidates and population, leading to competition and division. Political instability affects development, diverting attention from the government’s role. He noted that despite listing important bills in the recent Ordinary Session, they were withdrawn due to a lack of support. The inability of the 52 MPs to work together led to the recommendation by the Council of Ministers (COM) to the Head of State to dissolve Parliament. Salwai admitted that that the approach taken by the Head of State reflected the culture and traditional values, Christian values on which the country is founded which led to the withdrawal of the Motion of No Confidence in him as the PM. The head of the government stressed the MPs’ responsibility to debate and pass these important Bills. Non-compliance with the Political Registration Bill will have consequences. He further noted that the government’s commitment to stability and legislative amendments if necessary. He urged voters to choose candidates based on vision rather than “pots and rice”, emphasising the duty of everyone to vote for the right people. The Minister of Climate Change who also serves as the President of Graon mo Jastis Pati (GJP) Ralph Regenvanu and Andrew Napuat, Tanna’s GJP MP were also present to receive the petition. _____________________________________________________________ SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Ni-Vanuatu Women’s voices echo far at 3rd regional Community-Based Fisheries Dialogue November 16, 2023
Mrs. Rose Jimmy (left) and Mrs. Leisavi Joel during their Talanoa session yesterday. Photo: VFD Representatives from community groups and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from across the region, gathered in Nouméa to take part in the 3rd regional Community-Based Fisheries Dialogue on November 14-15, 2023. This occurred as part the 6th Regional Technical Meeting on Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture (RTMCFA), hosted by the Pacific Community (SPC). The dialogue provides a space for communities from across the region to share their views on issues relating to their coastal fisheries. During the second day of this meeting, Mrs. Leisavi Joel and Mrs. Rose Jimmy from the Havana Tasivanua Environment and Climate Action Network held a ‘Talanoa’ (shared their experience) session in front of an audience of over 100 participants from the Pacific. Mrs. Joel and Mrs. Jimmy were part of a special session organised by SPC and the University of Wollongong that discussed the importance of including voices from women alongside men in Community-Based Fisheries Management (CBFM). The growing collaboration between the Vanuatu Fisheries Department (VFD) and Vanua-Tai Resource Monitors Network was critical to making their participation possible. Following a panel of four speakers from Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, Mrs. Joel shared, with passion and emotion, her personal experience and journey as a woman representative from her community working on sustainable fisheries management. “It is hard work for a woman to be actively involved in a male dominated area in the community, when it comes down to decision-making in our community, at the end of the day we have to look at the chief for his support,” she said. In regard to getting recognition from the community leaders, she added, “Sometimes the chief just sees us as a sister, aunty, mother or grandmother and nothing more, even though I am involved actively with our coastal and environmental activities inside the community.” Mrs. Joel and Mrs. Jimmy are the first women to hold a ‘Talanoa’ session during such a regional meeting and were widely appreciated. The session has demonstrated its value as a way to bring community voices to the regional leaders in coastal fisheries. The duo continued to actively participate during the 2-day discussion and want their experiences to set an example for other women in Vanuatu to become active members of CBFM committees in their community, with the support of men leaders. ________________________________________________________ SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Civil Society organises protest against political instability November 14, 2023
Concerned citizens representing the civil society in Vanuatu, going under the name “Movement Red,” are planning to stage a protest this Thursday to voice their concerns about the ongoing political instability in the country. The Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC) and chiefs have also expressed their support for this initiative. Residents who want to be part of this stand are encouraged to wear anything red this week to show their support towards this call. Citizens living overseas have been rallying behind this call, offering their support. They clarified that their aim is not to support or oppose the dissolution of the government, instead to put an end to political instability. They have initiated a petition urging the public to join them in discouraging instability and demanding a more stable political environment. The petition is not directed against any specific leader, political party, or supporter of Members of Parliament; it is a collective effort to advocate for stability, recognising the widespread impact of instability on everyone. As part of the civil society, the Movement Red representatives met with the Head of State over the weekend, who expressed support for their cause. A Facebook page, The “Voes Blong Yumi” has become a hub for discussions and frustrations, reflecting how political instability has personally affected citizens and their communities. A statement issued by the movement, stated, “It is imperative to prioritise the rehabilitation and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Lola, ensuring that the affected communities receive the necessary support. “Through these concentrated efforts, Vanuatu can pave the way for a brighter future with influential young leaders, demanding, and promoting stability, prosperity, and a better quality of life for its people and children.” _________________________________________________ SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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174 seasonal workers blacklisted November 6, 2023
Vanuatu’s Department of Labour (DoL) has revealed that they receive weekly complaints from the families of seasonal workers, particularly partners who request that their spouses be placed on the DoL’s blacklist for engaging in extramarital affairs. This year alone, the total number of Vanuatu workers blacklisted overseas has risen to 174, including seasonal workers from both Australia and New Zealand. Senior Labour Mobility Officer of Policy, Welfare and Compliance, Minnie Bani, reminds all seasonal workers that their overseas journey is intended for family purposes and not for personal endeavors. “Even if you are single, it’s your father and mother who sent you, not for you to go and disengage from the program,” Mrs. Bani stressed. “The family journey is the primary reason, and the family also includes children. Most of them have seemingly forgotten their children, and they do not know the pressure on the children when there is a conflict in the relationship.” She confirmed the DoL has encountered numerous spouses coming forward with their children in tears, seeking assistance with issues they have with their husbands. However, they expressed their limitations, stating they are not licensed counsellors. She further stated that the Department has introduced an initiative known as the “Community of Care Model,” created by the Australian Government for Vanuatu seasonal workers. This model involves team leaders, employers, and country liaison officers to assist the workers. They also aim to establish a referral pathway, similar to what the Department of Women is doing, to finalise the protocol of a safety net. “In cases of gender-based violence or traumatised children needing counseling, the Department of Labour acts as a vital point of contact. They guide individuals on where to seek counselling,” Mrs. Bani stated. The Senior Labour Mobility Officer mentioned that another goal of the DoL is to provide an actual counselling service. They have identified ADRA Vanuatu’s “Blossom Project,” which focuses on family life education covering topics such as reproductive health, incest, and domestic violence, as a potential resource. According to the Department of Pacific Affairs, reasons for blacklisting can vary, including alcohol abuse, property damage, personality differences, and power struggles between workers and their employers or supervisors. Some cases involve supervisors using power dynamics to threaten workers, leading to blacklisting. However, Mrs. Bani said the most common reason for blacklisting Vanuatu workers is alcohol consumption, which result in fighting, car accidents, and other alcohol-related behaviors. The Department of Pacific Affairs clarifies that blacklisting serves as a punitive measure against workers who violate program rules or exhibit inappropriate behavior. While some cases are justified, there are instances where workers are blacklisted without clear evidence of wrongdoing. The Department of Pacific Affairs further reported the issue of blacklisting affects employers and labour sending units as well. When workers are blacklisted from one program, they may attempt to enter another. “There is a trend of long-term workers being blacklisted, raising questions about whether complacency, multiple visits, or other factors contribute to this issue. It is important to understand and address the underlying reasons behind blacklisting,” the Department of Pacific Affairs reported. The DoL adds that since the scheme’s primary goal is to help individuals economically, a worker placed on Australia’s blacklist may have the opportunity to migrate to New Zealand. However, they may be subject to a two-to five-year stand-down period first. ______________________________________________________________________ SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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