#SistaGatStyle  

In October, we are celebrating the lovely and passionate, Jane Iatika! 

President of the Port Vila City Council of Women, and well-known in the country’s Women’s Movement, Jane is committed to supporting the women around her especially in the communities. She hopes to see more women become independent, resilient, and most importantly, feel a sense of unity amongst them. 

With a great sense of style in clothes and jewelry, Jane reminds us to wear and style our outfits to feel good! 

She has endured many different challenges in her life but has come out even stronger as she lives by this quote, “Be stronger than the challenges you face.”  

#SistaGatStyle #WomanPentecost #Black #Beautiful #Strong #PresidentofPortVilaCityCouncilofWomen 

 

Name

Jane Iatika 

 

Where are you from? 

 

I am from the island of Pentecost but I married the late Morgan Stephens Iatika, who was from the island of Tanna. 

 

 

Tell us about your family.

My late father, James Tavoa and my late mother, Hazel Lini Tavoa, were both from Pentecost and they had 4 children. 

 

My eldest brother, Edward Tavoa works for Air Vanuatu as an Engineer, my sister, Kayline Tavoa, works for TRBR as the Principal Legal Officer, and my young brother, Gary Tavoa works for the Electoral Office as the Deputy Principal Electoral Officer. And I started working for the government in the department of Provincial Affairs. I spent 7 years working there before I joined my late husband, Morgan Stephens Iatika on Tanna as the Office Supervisor to the Tafea Provincial Council.  

 

 

What do you like to do in your spare time?  Any hobbies?  

 

In my spare time I like to read! A fun hobby that I enjoy doing is watching football. 

 

Do you work?  

 

I am currently the President of the Port Vila City Council of Women. It is a voluntary job, but I enjoy it because of the support I’m able to provide the women in our communities to be independent and resilient.  

What do you aspire to do in the future?  

 

I aspire to see, feel, and hear unity between women in our communities. I would like to see a positive change for our women in the future. 

 

 

 

What is a quote that you live by?  

 

‘Be stronger than the challenges you face’.

 

How would you describe your style?  

 

I don’t know how I would describe my style, but I do know that I always try to look good in the clothes I wear – I look good to feel good! And it’s nice when people compliment the outfit I have on or the jewelry I’m wearing. 

 

 

Why do you like fashion?

To me, fashion comes down to the clothes that you wear and how it accentuates your personality. 

 

Who influences your style? 

 

My late husband has had an influence on my style. When he travelled, he would bring me back different outfits, and jewelry, which I loved! I had options to choose from and I knew that I could dress to look and feel good. 

 

 

What beauty products do you use (including perfume)?  

 

I’m not a big fan of beauty products, I don’t use make up either, but my favourite perfumes are Red Door and La Rive.  

 

Any fashion/beauty tips? 

 

Coconut oil! I use it all the time to keep my skin looking healthy. 

 

What are three words you would use to describe yourself?  

 

Black. Beautiful. Strong. 

 

 

What’s the most difficult thing you’ve had to face?  

 

Losing my late husband. I spent 27 years of my life with him and after he passed, I had to endure a lot of different challenges on my own. Looking back, I’m glad I went through these challenges, because I came out even stronger. 

What does being a woman mean to you?  

 

Being a woman is more than how society labels you. Being a woman is being happy in the skin that you are in, being happy about the person you are and just being unapologetically you! 

 

 

What does being a Ni-Vanuatu mean to you? 

 

Being a Ni-Vanuatu means, you belong to a country, and you have an identity to uphold and cherish.  

 

What is something you love about yourself?  

 

I love that I can make friends with anyone and everyone. I have friends who are younger than me, older than me, I have male friends, female friends – there are no differences, and I love that I have that perspective.  

What is one thing you wish you could tell your younger self? 

 

‘Always stand tall and be strong when challenges arise.’ ‘Trust yourself and believe in yourself because you can do it!’

 

 

What is your biggest fear? 

 

My biggest fear is that our future generations, especially our young girls, won’t believe in themselves as much as we do. I want them to know that they are so much more than their looks, they have so much to offer if they believe in themselves.  

 

______________________________________________________________________

Photographer: NYA Films
Nails: Rosy Spa

Assistants:  Sharon
Location: Joint Court Area, Port Vila 

_______________________________________________________________________

This article was originally published in the October,2023 edition of the Vanuatu Daily Post’s Life and Style magazine.

We are proud partners with VDP and Sista’s time to implement this project which is covered by CARE Vanuatu.