Island: Tanna

At 44 years old, Judith Iakavai stands as one of Vanuatu’s most dedicated advocates for inclusion, women’s empowerment, and disability rights. Married to a man from Malekula, while she herself hails from the island of Tanna, Judith is also a proud mother of four children. Today, she serves as the Program Manager at the Vanuatu Society of People with Disability (VSPD), a role she has held since 2015.

Judith’s early life was shaped in Port Vila, where she grew up and pursued her education. She attended Matevulu College for her secondary studies and afterwards enrolled at the Vanuatu Institute of Technology (VIT), where she graduated with a Certificate in Accounting and Management. Her professional journey began in hospitality at Le Lagon Hotel, where she worked as a guest service attendant.

Judith’s transition into the NGO sector began with the Vanuatu National Council of Women, where she was first exposed to women’s issues and empowerment programs. From there, she joined Wan Smolbag Theatre, where she spent nearly nine years. She started as a Finance Officer but quickly grew into project management and overseeing programs. Judith’s journey then led her to World Vision Vanuatu, where she served as Assistant Finance Officer.

While Judith enjoyed contributing in these positions, she longed to work more directly with people and communities, and therefore decided to join VSPD in 2015, stepping into her current role as Program Manager. VSPD is Vanuatu’s national NGO dedicated to service delivery for people with disabilities. This marked a turning point in Judith’s career. For the first time, she was closely involved with people with disabilities, managing not only activities, but also entire programs aimed at improving lives and building inclusion for all in-Vanuatu.

Judith recalls that her inspiration partly came from growing up with a cousin who had a disability. This personal relationship gave her the confidence and compassion to work in the sector. She also credits a long-serving VSDP colleague, late Arthur Simrai, who became one of her greatest supporters when she first joined the organisation. Their shared vision and teamwork encouraged her to adapt to the new challenges of a new environment. Despite initial fears, Judith embraced her role, motivated by the chance to serve the most vulnerable.

When she joined, the organisation lacked many key systems, including a strategic plan and financial procedures. Judith played a major role in strengthening operations, especially with the support of partners such as UNICEF, Australian volunteers and others. Today, she proudly acknowledges that VSPD’s growth is the result of collective effort from past and present staff, rather than individual leadership.

For Judith, seeing parents of children with disabilities recognise positive changes in their children’s lives is among the most rewarding aspects of her work. She is especially proud when VSPD secures partnerships that enable services to reach remote communities. Conversely, her most discouraging experiences are when she sees other organisations treat disability inclusion as a box-ticking exercise rather than a genuine commitment.

Judith’s encouragement is, “If you are living with a disability, you can still make it—don’t look down on yourself. For those without a disability, what excuse do you have not to get up every day and learn something new?”

Judith’s motivation also comes from her family. She describes her mother as the most inspirational person in her life—a hardworking woman with a kind heart who taught her life principles. Her husband, one of her greatest supporters, always listens and offers advice when challenges arise at work. She recalls advice from her uncle that continues to guide her life: “Every day you must challenge yourself to learn ten new things.”

Her faith in God is another cornerstone of her resilience, strength and purpose in serving others. For Judith, her work is not just a career but a mission—an opportunity to serve, empower, and advocate for those whose voices are often unheard.

This feature story is part of a series presenting 26 Vanuatu women who serve on boards, profiled in Balance of Power’s (BoP) book Nation Builders III.

The series is the outcome of a six-month partnership between BoP and the Vanuatu Daily Post to recognise women leaders, build awareness of women’s leadership in Vanuatu and encourage wider acknowledgement of their contributions across development and decision-making spaces.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST