In her speech, Higelin reflected on the impact of the cyclone, the worst climate disaster in Vanuatu, which displaced about 3,300 people. She explained that ActionAid’s mission began in response to the cyclone, focusing on women’s rights and locally led development.

“It began with three blue tents set up in the worst-affected areas in Eton, Erromango, and Tanna, where 12,000 women gathered over two weeks because they heard there was a safe space for women. These tents were led by local women leaders, and I’d like to acknowledge Dora Wiley, one of the first community mobilizers who remains a core part of the WITTT team.

“Following the cyclone response, the blue tents evolved into women’s circles and WITTT forums that provided a space for women to learn about their rights, discuss threats to their safety and dignity during crises, and explore how best to prepare and respond.

“In a country that is one of the most disaster-prone and faces significant challenges in achieving gender equality, I am enormously proud to see that this movement has grown to include 9,000 women across five islands—400 of whom are in this room today,” she said.

She mentioned that over the past nine years, ActionAid’s work in Vanuatu has had a transformative impact, with changes in women’s roles at household and community levels, influence over government policy and services, and improvements in household income and economic resilience. It has also led to generational change among girls and young women.

“Women’s collective advocacy efforts have achieved many gains, including securing a police post in Erromango for women’s protection, bringing running water to the community in Eton, waiving school fees during crises, and formalizing consultations with women with disabilities in Emergency Standard Operating Procedures. Women led the uptake of the COVID vaccine and are now an active part of Community Disaster Committees,” she said.

“Woman Wetem Weta, a women-led, locally-driven early warning and information system embedded in the WITTT network, has supported more than 40% of the population in preparing for disasters via the Digicel network

“Through this initiative, women have gone from being ignored in times of crisis to being central to the National Emergency Operations Centre. This model originated from our sisters in Fiji and has since expanded to Bougainville, PNG, Fiji, and Tonga with support from the Shifting the Power Coalition.

It was also noted that last year, when twin cyclones hit in March 2023, the women-led response supported through AAV and WITTT provided emergency relief to 30,000 people in affected communities and distributed 17 tonnes of locally grown vegetables to local hospitals and two of the most impacted islands. Women with disabilities led an inclusive response that provided targeted relief to some of the most vulnerable and previously unreached community members.

“Women’s disaster leadership has been widely recognized by the community—in Tanna, I heard the Provincial Disaster Management Office say they could not have responded without the women, and in Erromango, women’s emergency leadership led to one woman being invited to join the traditionally male-only Council of Chiefs—a first for Vanuatu’s efforts to achieve gender equality.

“Women’s visible leadership in times of crisis is not only driving more inclusive responses but is also advancing gender equality,” she added.

The spouse of President Nikenike Vurobaravu, Rima Vurobaravu, attended the event as a guest, launching the WITTT.

According to the First Lady, “the launch marked an extraordinary moment in Vanuatu’s history, with women united to launch the WITTT, a federated women’s movement born from the aspirations, struggles, and achievements of the incredible women of the islands.

“Women are the backbone of our society—they are the custodians of our culture, nurturers of our children, stewards of our land, and drivers of our economy and social development. Yet, we know too well that women have faced and continue to face barriers to equal participation and opportunity in many aspects of life.

“The establishment of WITTT represents a powerful collective response to these challenges. This movement symbolizes unity, strength, and hope. It is a movement that speaks with one voice, advocating for the rights, progress, and empowerment of all Ni-Vanuatu women.”

The WITTT launch began with a parade from Fatumaru Bay to the Convention Center. More than 200 women attended, some wearing traditional costumes to represent their regions.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST