February Newsletter 2023

Mar 30, 2023 | Newsletters | 0

It is only the second Month of 2023, and we are already starting to get super busy!

This month we celebrated International Day of Women and Girls in Science as there is still a significant gender gap which has persisted throughout the years at all levels of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines all over the world. Even though women have made tremendous progress towards increasing their participation in higher education – we see and acknowledge you siSTARS – they are still under-represented in these fields.

Every year on the 21st of February the country acknowledges the late Father Walter Lini. We celebrate and reflect on his ground moving achievements as we are reminded of him as the Father of Independence and how the nation still lives by his quote “Rispek Hemi Honorabol”.

We finally published episode 6 from the Round Table Podcast! Listen in to the conversation of the different Menstrual Products at hand in Vanuatu and the reality of what it is like for Ni-Vanuatu women and girls. Check out the discussion on ‘Menstrual Health Management and Menstrual Cup’

A big shout out and appreciation to UN Women for their tremendous support with the COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for our team!

We received a lot of different products, from a hand santizer stand, to wipes, to latex glove and even a blue mop bucket! These supplies will not only help keep our office space clean but it will also help keep our team COVID-19 free. THANK YOU, UN Women, for your support!

Towards the end of the month, the Executive Director and Communications & Advocacy Coordinator, had the exciting opportunity to attend the We Rise Coalition 3 Annual Planning Retreat in Nadi, Fiji! They met with our amazing siSTARS from Brown Girl Woke , Fiji Women’s Rights Movement , Voice For Change – Jiwaka,PNG , femLINKpacific and International Women’s Development Agency – IWDA! While they were away, the rest of the team in Port Vila had their fair share of work and with two members not physically present, it was a challenge, but the team managed to pull through.

After we said our goodbyes to our dear siSTAR, Irene Abbock who has decided to begin a new journey of her own, the finance team ended the month on a search for a new Finance & Admin Officer to join Sista! Keep a lookout for next month’s newsletter to find out who’s joined the team! And a big congratulations to Regina Ova for being promoted to Finance and HR Manager.

Projects

Velenie Jacob – Sista Gat Style, Vanuatu Daily Post

For our #SistaGatStyle February Edition we celebrated the #BudgetQueen Ms Velenie Jacob!!

Velenie has been leveraging social media and using her business, Nasara Consulting, to economically empower people with financial knowledge. Recognizing the gap that needed to be filled between the informal and formal sector, Velenie has dedicated her time to sharing useful information packed with practical advice on how to manage your money. Visit our website to see more on Sista Gat Style! https://www.sista.com.vu/velenie-jacob-sista-gat-style/

Nompi Aremai Cultural Initiative Project – Erromango Cultural Association

The team at Sista met with a few of the board members from the Erromango Cultural Association (ECA) to discuss the Nompi Aremai Project and officially sign the MOU.

This project looks at cultural empowerment and to revive deeper understanding of cultural systems in peace-making and respect for women and children. It also focuses on the cultural value of women by utilizing the kastom philosophy for peaceful communities: sesie-naromprom-nalorolki (respect-humility-honour). The comms team at Sista will be providing support through the set-up of a new Facebook page and sharing short videos of key people in the Erromango community in Port Vila speaking about the key messages from this project. Keep your eye out for it!

Young Women’s Leadership Program (YWLP) – CARE

The Sista project team join the Gender Equality Together Team at Care’s Office to review the YWLP applications of selected participants. The reviewing of the selected participants is done according to the two locations, Tanna and Port Vila. The ones from Tanna were reviewed on Friday 10th February 2023 and the ones from Port Vila were reviewed on Friday 17th February 2023. The selection was quite challenging, but the team has managed to do the selection in accordance to the selection criteria’s. Sista has also supported the GET team in planning for the YWLP such as fixing up the new logo of YWLP including mentorship and internship plannings.

The Round Table Podcast – We Rise Coalition and PACMAS

We finally released episode 6 of The Round Table Podcast! Jara and the Sista comms team talked about ‘Menstrual Health Management and Menstrual Cup’ in the light of putting out more information on how great these products are, personal experiences using this menstrual product and the price range of different menstrual products in Vanuatu. Listen to this episode HERE

Celebrating Women in Vanuatu’s Private Sector – Balance of Power

Sista is working with Balance of Power to celebrate Ni-Vanuatu women in private sectors who have contributed to the development of Vanuatu. This month the team has able to develop a Call out to disseminate through social media, newspaper, and other platforms for nominations of candidates. Also the recruitment of the photographers, interviewer and transcriber is on process at that time.

We Rise Coalition annual planning retreat 2023

From 20 – 24 February, the Executive Director and Communications & Advocacy Coordinator, attended the We Rise Coalition 3 Annual Planning Retreat in Nadi, Fiji where they met with the siSTARS from Brown Girl Woke , Fiji Women’s Rights Movement , Voice For Change – Jiwaka,PNG , femLINKpacific and International Women’s Development Agency – IWDA

It was a great learning experience for the team as it was a chance for everyone in the We Rise Coalition to reflect on their journey, share their experiences, their lessons learnt and their achievements, and it allowed everyone to start the conversation on the coalitions next steps on strengthening the feminist movement in their own countries and overall, in the Pacific.

We Rise Coalition is comprised of several feminist organizations across the Pacific, with the vision to develop, demonstrate and strengthen feminist coalitions and partnerships to grow and uphold inclusive governance, equality, diversity, justice and women’s human rights. At the centre of the We Rise Coalition is a commitment to building and sustaining women’s collective power through movements. While resistance or rebellion by individual women is easy to quash or isolate, the We Rise Coalition believe that strategic resistance, acting together on a common agenda of change, is not easily suppressed!

Thank you We Rise Coalition and IWDA for making this trip possible! The team at Sista are excited to continue the We Rise 3 journey with you all!

Visit our website to read all about it!

Other News

Media Association blong Vanuatu (MAV) Election

Sista’s Communications & Advocacy coordinator, Project coordinator and Communications & Advocacy Officer, attended the MAV election on the 3d of February to vote for the next President and MAV executive board. Congratulation to the new MAV President, and another milestone for the women of Vanuatu, Ms Lily Rose Welwel! The team at Sista look forward to working closely with the new MAV board this year.

Preparation to attend Commission Status of Women in New York, We Rise Coalition

The We Rise Coalition is participating at the sixty-seventh session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York. With the theme of “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”, the We Rise Coalition partners hope to ensure that the voices of women from the Pacific islands are equally represented and heard in the global review process. The ED of Sista is looking forward to attending the event with other partners from the We Rise Coalition.

Women Deliver Conference Meetings

The ED is honored to have been selected to be part of the Women Deliver 2023 Oceanic Pacific Regional Committee in prepearation for the conference in July in Rwanda. The meetings have consisted of discussing event proposals for Pacific and Melbourne convening events as well as the Regional Convening Strategy and funding allocation. In the second meeting, we were delighted to have Hon. Natalie Hutchins MP, the Minister for Women for the State of Victoria, to join us for the first half of the meeting.

Revitalization of the Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration National Consultations

In 2012, Pacific Islands Forum Leaders endorsed the Pacific Leaders Gender Equality (PLGED) in response to deep concern about the slow progress of gender equality in the region. Their endorsement, critical for progress, brought a new determination and commitment to efforts to lift the status of women in the Pacific and empower them to be active participants in economic, political, social life in the areas of gender-responsive government programs and policies, decision-making, economic empowerment, ending violence against women, and health and education.

The national Consultations are part of the wider process to revitalize the Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration (PLGED). The workshops are built on the findings of the review of the PLGED that was undertaken in 2021 as well as the consultations held during the development of the 2050 Strategy.

Rosina Kaimbang, the Project Coordinator of Sista, attended the national consultation at Moorings on the 23rd of February 2023. The objective of the consultations is to provide members and stakeholders the opportunity to shape the focus and governance aspects of the next iteration of the declaration. This was led by a Pacific Leaders Forum representative with the Department of Women’s Affairs’ help.

Program & Finance Manager Farewell

This month was our Program and Finance Manager’s, Irene Abbock, last month with us here at Sista. After serving Sista for more than 2 years, Irene decided to start a new adventure of her own. The Finance department would like to thank her for the tremendous work she has contributed to the organization. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors. – Irene, this isn’t a good-bye but a see ya later siSTAR!

This farewell led us to do a Call Out for a Finance and Admin Officer position. We had some great candidates and would like to take this opportunity to thank all the applicants for applying.

Coming Soon

Nation Builders II: Celebrating Women in the Private Sector

This year, Balance Of Power and Sista are working together to develop a second edition of Nation Builders! And we want YOU to nominate a woman who you believe should be celebrated for the tremendous work she has done in her field of work in the Private Sector.
Click HERE to find out how to nominate!

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NEWS

In Unity Our Advocacy Becomes a Chorus The women working to end violence in Vanuatu September 14, 2023
What comes to mind when you think of the Pacific? The rhetoric usually centres on happiness and holidays, cocktails by the beach and the cordial welcome received from locals wherever one may travel. The shout of Bula in Fiji, a Welkam in Vanuatu, or a Malo e lelei in Tonga. While that story does indeed ring true for many, there is another story that needs to be told: the work of an incredible cohort across the region working to combat, and end, all forms of violence against women. The Pacific region has some of the highest rates of violence against women in the world, with up to 68 percent of women having reported experiencing physical or sexual violence by a partner in their lifetime. This figure is more than twice the global average. Pacific Women Lead’s 2021 National Survey on Women’s Lives and Family Relationships evidenced amongst those women who have ever had an intimate sexual relationship with a partner in Vanuatu: 60 percent had experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime 68 percent had experienced emotional violence 28 percent were subjected to several forms of control by their partner 69 percent experienced at least one form of coercive control, and most of these were continuing to live lives involving physical and sexual violence Women are constantly at risk of violence and threats, regardless of where they are. Women are not safe on the streets, in their homes, at work, in places of study, places of worship, or places of recreation. Any small change is a step in the right direction The global Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls is a United Nations joint initiative supported by the European Union and other partners. The Spotlight Initiative in the Pacific focuses its work on four key pillars: Policy and legislation Institutions Prevention Data A comprehensive approach is being implemented within the Pacific nations through the targeting of multiple settings for change such as the education sector, government, churches, the justice sector, and civil society organisations (CSOs), and by working across a variety of levels of the socio-ecological model. UNDP’s support to Vanuatu via the Spotlight Initiative sees it working with small, grassroots organisations – making an impact from the ground up. Through the establishment of a grantee program, UNDP Pacific has undertaken a second phase and partnered with six grassroots organisations on empowering women in rural communities, initiating a range of activities that, in many cases, support service provision, innovative solutions and engagement activities that aim to provide information and basic services to those who otherwise lack access. These grants go a long way and have made significant impact thus far, with the program also identifying those grassroots organisations who have the capacity to engage communities nationwide in the provision of justice, health, and economic support services to survivors of intimate partner violence. However, in Vanuatu, it is a far greater challenge to change this deeply ingrained behaviour; it is the kind of change that requires more than the delivery of an awareness session in a small community, or within the nakamal, should deep, long-lasting behavioural change occur. The way we now frame the topic has completely changed And as a result, the narrative is now changing. For sustainable, long-term progress on ending violence against women, men, women, and children; young, old and those in between, all must unite in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV). “The way we now frame the topic has completely changed, it’s no longer just a women’s problem. While the vast majority of perpetrators are men, if we want to make change, we need to realise that this can only be done via a whole-of-community approach,” said Dr. Astrid Kersten, Executive Director of Human Capacity Development International (HCDI). HCDI take a whole-of-community approach to their work, collaborating with village chiefs all the way through to younger members of the community. This approach sees a broad cross-section of voices and opinions accounted for, ensuring that through community buy-in the behaviour change work they undertake is sustainable in the long-term. As one of the recipient organisations (alongside their partner, Sista) to receive a grant via the Spotlight Initiative, HCDI and Sista focused on two key activities: The development of community resources to assist in community awareness development and collective action, related to reducing GBV; and To build on and promote the Stanap Strong website as a resource to support victims, families of victims, and the general population. HCDI and Sista are making inroads and inspiring change, no doubt, but Astrid still has moments of self-doubt as to just how much progress they are making on ending violence against women. “I do keep thinking, ‘is this really making a difference?’ It is still hard going, training and capacity building are still key right across Vanuatu, and we need continued support to help us beyond the Spotlight Initiative. “These grants may be small but with our work it doesn’t take a whole lot of money to ensure that we can have significant impact,” she said. When you lift up women you lift the entire community When the grassroots organisation Sista was established in 2016, its main purpose was to create a space for Ni-Vanuatu women to connect, share and uplift each other. Sista began its journey as an online magazine and over the past eight years has evolved into a women’s rights organisation driven by feminist values. Josephine Tarianga serves as Sista’s Resource Coordinator, a powerhouse of a young woman. Having worked as a journalist, at just 22 she is not only working with Sista, and Vanuatu’s We Rise Coalition, she is also studying a double degree of Law and Commerce with the University of the South Pacific. Blending her passions of media and communications with furthering women’s rights, Josephine says that just because you’re a feminist, it doesn’t equate to you not being committed to your community. “Things are still very male dominated here, but at the same time change is in the air. Women are the focal read more…

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VANGO Chairman Calls for NGO, CSO Registration Ahead of Mapping Exercise September 14, 2023
Mr. William Nasak, the chairman of the Vanuatu Association of Non-Government Organisations (VANGO), is calling on all Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) established in the provinces to register with VANGO before the mapping exercise visits begin. The mapping exercise will visit all six provinces with tentative dates across September and October, hosting workshops for NGO/CSOs to ensure there is better coordination between organisations and with government, increase NGO/CSOs visibility and align NGO/CSO programs and interventions to the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP). “The ultimate goal of the project, as the next step, is to develop a standardised reporting template for NGO/CSOs to ensure that their achievements and interventions in Vanuatu are recognised in the NSDP progress reporting,” Ms Abraham, Secretary General (SG) of VANGO, shared. “After the mapping VANGO will collaborate with the NGO desk office and the Department of Strategic Planning, Policy and Aid Coordination (DSSPAC) to bring this reporting template to life so NGO/CSOs can be acknowledged for their work.” As part of the mapping exercise, registered organisations will have the opportunity to complete Institutional Assessment Mapping (IAM). The IAM supports organisations to increase their profile as well as assess and map out their resources and organisational capacity, contributing to development effectiveness. This will be beneficial for wide range of stakeholders including the NGO/CSOs, international agencies and policy makers. Preparations for the provincial mapping visits are well underway with a pre-workshop to train enumerators (selected from current VANGO members) hosted on the 6th of September. To ensure the mapping is successful and reflects the wide range of NGO/CSOs across all provinces of Vanuatu, all community organisations should reach out to VANGO now to become members. VANGO acknowledges the DSSPAC Unit for the funding support to implement this exercise. It also extended its acknowledgement to the Government of Australia through the Oxfam Australia and Save the Children for the operational funding of VANGO. _________________________________________________________ SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Quai to Launch New EP Album and Raise Funds for Children’s Ward September 14, 2023
Vanuatu’s music icon, Vanessa Quai, is gearing up for a special concert on the 5th of October. The primary objective of this event is to unveil her highly anticipated Extended Play (EP) Album, while also mobilising resources to support the Children’s Ward. Miss Quai revealed that her inspiration for this charitable endeavour stemmed from a conversation with a doctor from the Children’s Ward. The doctor had shared the pressing need for a new heart-scanning machine dedicated to paediatric patients, as the current one is outdated and unreliable. “Upon learning of this critical need, I felt compelled to leverage my platform to raise funds and contribute to the Children’s Ward,” explained Quai. She announced the release of six exceptional songs, marked by the lyrical inspiration she has poured into them. These tracks are the result of collaborations with talented producers and featured artists. “After a hiatus of five years since my last album, ‘Light it up,’ I am excited to release new songs this year in the form of an EP album,” she said. The concert, slated for the Warwick Le Lagon, promises to be a delightful evening reminiscent of a buffet night. Attendees can savor a sumptuous buffet dinner and enjoy complimentary drinks while being entertained. Quai will grace the stage with an hour-long performance, followed by other esteemed artists from Port Vila, including Sheila Wilz, Dalinda, Max Albert, Tujah, and the KR dancers. Ms Quai disclosed ticket details, with adult tickets priced at VT7,000 and children’s tickets at VT5,000. Attendees are encouraged to hold onto their tickets, as there will be raffle prizes to be won, and some lucky patrons may even depart with a complimentary EP album. Quai encourages everyone to support the concert, adding the money spent on tickets not only grants access to an unforgettable event but also serves as a meaningful donation towards enhancing the Children’s Ward. “Your attendance will make a real difference in the lives of our young patients,” she said. _________________________________________________________ SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Consultation on GBV Response Marks Progress in Gender Equality Policy September 11, 2023
A consultation on the Multi-Service Delivery Protocol (MSDP) for responding to Gender-based Violence (GBV) against women and girls ended on Thursday this week. More than 20 partners were involved in the two-day consultation as the government of Vanuatu is taking strides to implement the first strategic area of the National Gender Equality Policy. The consultation was jointly hosted by United Nations (UN) Women and the Department of Women Affairs and aligns with the ongoing development of the National Policy on Gender Equality, which comprises five distinct strategic areas. The Acting Director General (DG) of the Ministry of Justice and Community Services (MOJCS), Pacco Siri, officially opened the two-day meeting on the 6th of September. Mr. Siri expressed his satisfaction in witnessing the dedication of partners and the national government to craft a comprehensive national document addressing the coordination of services for survivors, a vital necessity for victims and survivors of violence. The Acting DG shared a vision where all family members can reside in secure and safe environments, spanning homes, communities, islands, and the entirety of Vanuatu as a secure nation. The national consultation on MSDP builds upon earlier provincial consultations conducted in 2019 and 2020. However, the completion of this crucial work was delayed due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and a series of hurricanes in recent years. According to the MOJCS, Vanuatu’s current focus lies on strategic area 1, which aims to “eliminate discrimination and violence against women and girls”. The MOJCS also stated that within the Pacific region, Vanuatu grapples with one of the highest rates of GBV, with statistics revealing that 60 percent of women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical and/or sexual violence during their lifetimes. “Additionally, 68 percent have encountered emotional violence, and 69 percent have been subject to coercive control by intimate partners. “The National Sustainable Development Plan 2030 identifies the importance of working together to address gender-based violence under the Society Pillar,” the Ministry reported. Reports from the Ministry show that during natural disasters the rate of GBV in Vanuatu is very high. _________________________________________________________ SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Vanuatu Introduces Provincial Disability Officers and Committees September 6, 2023
The Vanuatu Disability Desk and the Vanuatu Skills Partnership (VSP) embarked on a collaborative journey last month in a significant step towards bolstering support for persons with disabilities in Vanuatu. The visit spanned the provinces of TAFEA, SANMA, and PENAMA, marking a decisive moment for the nation’s commitment to inclusivity and rights, as well as to introduce newly recruited provincial disability officers. The VSP plays a crucial role as the primary funder of these recently established positions within the Ministry of Justice and Community Services (MoJCS) structure, operating under the Human Rights Unit. Furthermore, VSP extends financial and technical support to the Unit for the seamless implementation of activities aligned with the Government Sector Support and Strengthening Plan. The Disability Desk of the MoJCS expressed deep appreciation to the VSP for their invaluable cooperation and financial backing. This partnership signifies a concerted effort to drive positive change and enhance the lives of persons with disabilities. Among the key developments during this joint effort, the VSP discussed a comprehensive work plan with the newly recruited officers. This collaborative approach provides an opportunity to align priorities, emphasize the significance of the partnership, and collectively work towards achieving impactful outcomes throughout the implementation period. The strong partnership between the Disability Desk and VSP is further exemplified by their shared work plan. This strategic collaboration extends beyond the introduction phase, as both entities are committed to continuing their engagement and knowledge sharing in the future. Anticipating future endeavours, there are plans to extend similar introductions and deepen partnerships in other provinces. This approach fosters a rich exchange of knowledge and strategies, enabling these organisations to address disability-related challenges in Vanuatu effectively. These efforts align with the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP), known as the “People’s Plan.” All engagements and activities remain steadfastly in line with the three primary pillars of the NSDP, ensuring that progress is consistent with the nation’s overarching development goals. _________________________________________________________ SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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