The Australian Government continues to commit itself to promoting gender equality through gender-based programs in Vanuatu.

Recently, the Australian Ambassador for Women and Girls, Natasha Stott Despoja announced a grant of AUD1 million towards CARE Vanuatu.

The grant is from the Gender Equality Fund and would be injected into projects and activities that would focus on empowering women and girls economically through new small business initiatives and other activities such as enhancing women’s voices and women’s associations, and to also address the issues of gender-based violence.

Ambassador Stott acknowledged CARE’s ongoing role at promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls through their programs.

She expressed her interests to see how the funding can contribute to making the lives of ni-Vanuatu women and girls better.

“For the past three years, I’ve worked with CARE organisation. I loved what you do and I love what you stand for. I congratulate you on this bid.”

In her response, Megan Chisolm, Country Director of CARE thanked the Australian Government through Ambassador Stott for the grant. She noted that the grant would support women associations and in particular support the next generations of women leaders in Vanuatu, especially, young women in leadership in the area of gender equality.

In 2014 CARE began a three-year program (July 2014 to June 2017) to address the underlying dynamics and causes of gender inequality in Vanuatu.

The program titled Leftemap Sista works at the national and provincial level to promote women and girls’ leadership, skills development and economic empowerment focusing on the disadvantages and inequities that females face from birth. READ MORE

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST