June Newsletter 2025

Jul 23, 2025 | Newsletters | 0

June was a month of meaningful momentum at Sista – full of learning, leadership, and legacy building.

We wrapped up the final group workshop for our Accelerator Hub program with a deep dive into financial management and moved into tailored one-on-one sessions with participating organizations.

The Young Women’s Leadership Program (YWLP) kept up its pace, with a moving Intergenerational Dialogue that brought together feminists and emerging leaders. Together, they explored what feminism in Vanuatu looks like – past, present, and future.

We strengthened our internal systems too – welcoming a new Board member and setting the foundation for Sista’s next Strategic Plan. We also completed First Aid training and joined an Adaptive Leadership workshop, building our team’s readiness and resilience.

June also brought powerful moments of partnership – from joining VANGO’s CSO Forum and AGM, to reconnecting with the DFAT Vanuatu team, collaborating with CARE on YWLP coordination, and sharing insights with Reemi and ICAAD.

Across every meeting, training, and conversation, one thing was clear: we’re not just doing the work – we’re growing through it, and that is the siSTAR spirit that keeps us grounded!

Keep reading to see how June unfolded across our projects and partnerships.

Projects

Anthea Arukole – Sista Gat Style, Vanuatu Daily Post

In June, we are shining light on Anthea Arukole – a powerhouse of confidence, wisdom and style who embodies resilience, courage and the power of authenticity.

With roots in Ambae and Ambrym, she’s a proud Ni-Vanuatu woman who serves her community as a councillor for the Anaburu/Melcofe Ward in Port Vila.

Her journey has been anything but linear – from studying medicine in Fiji, to working in the NGO sector, to stepping into politics – every chapter of her life has been marked by resilience, purpose, and growth.

Her style? Chic, powerful, and unapologetically hers. Whether she’s rocking heels or cracking a joke, Anthea shows us that confidence never goes out of style.

Whether she’s sewing, laughing with friends, or leading in her community, Anthea brings grace, strength, and authenticity to everything she does.

Anthea’s leadership is rooted in growth, empowerment, and legacy. One of her guiding mantras is ‘See one, do one, teach one’. She turns knowledge into action, and action into mentorship. For her, success isn’t just climbing higher, it’s ensuring others rise with her. By working herself out of a job, she builds something far greater: a future where her impact multiplies through those she’s empowered by.

#SistaGatStyle #WomanAmbae #WomanAmbrym #Mother #Confident #ContagiousLaugh #Wise #Chic #Beautiful

First Aid Training for the Sista Team

In June the Sista team carried out our first collective team FirstAid training with Jane Laycock from Nightingale Medical Services.

The full day training was engaging and filled with practical hands-on activities. The team learned how to deliver first response, recovery positions, treat open wounds, fractures, asthma attacks and allergic reactions through engaging activities and visual presentations throughout the day.

The Sista team left with new knowledge not only about First Aid but about the brilliant workings of the Human Body.

This training will contribute not only to Sista’s Capacity building but is a step towards Sista’s sustainability plan. This training paired with Sista’s Evacuation plan showcases Sista’s commitment to a safe and sustainable workplace.

The Vaka Pasifika Media Mentorship Programme Kicks off

The Vaka Pasifika Media Mentorship Programme officially launched with its first webinar on the 4th of June, connecting student and early-career journalists from Fiji, Tuvalu, Palau, Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands.
Together with experienced mentors, they explored how public money is managed and why it matters to Pacific communities. The webinar introduced participants to the Vaka Pasifika Public Finance Management (PFM) course, now freely available online through UNDP’s Moodle Platform and officially kicked off a six-month mentorship journey that will run through the end of 2025.

Sista’s Program Manager is a part of this Programme acting as a mentor this year to two Ni-Vanuatu journalists, Essen Jack and Jason Abel. Both mentees have had experience in the Vanuatu News rooms and have joined the program to gain new knowledge and strength their capacity in Public Finance Management.

Sista’s Program Manager and her two mentees gathered for a debrief on the 25th of June, following the first webinar to share reflections on the contents of the webinar, the workplan and discuss story ideas. The meeting also allowed the three to reflect on PFM in country and how this programme can help the role of media in Vanuatu.

Sista is proud to share learnings in this important area of reporting and looks forward to supporting the mentees on their PFM learning journey.

Feminism Intergenerational Dialogue – CARE

On Monday 9th June, Sista, in partnership with CARE, hosted a powerful intergenerational dialogue at the Vanuatu Cultural Centre in Port Vila. The half-day panel brought together 11 participants to explore the question: “What is the Feminist Movement in Vanuatu?”

The panel featured prominent feminist advocates Anne Pakoa, founder of the Vanuatu Human Rights Coalition, and Yasmine Bjornum, founder of Sista, with moderation by Josepheen Tarianga. Together, they reflected on the evolution of feminism in Vanuatu, the influence of culture and tradition, and the need for unity across all walks of life.

The event created space for meaningful exchange between generations of women leaders, fostering connection, shared understanding, and strategies for advancing gender equality. Participants left feeling inspired and energized, valuing the chance to learn from trailblazers while embracing the growing leadership of young women today.

The event ended with a strong sense of purpose and solidarity, reaffirming a shared commitment to gender equality and sparking ideas for future action. As voices from across generations came together, it was clear: the feminist movement in Vanuatu is growing stronger, louder, and more united.

Meeting with Reemi

On Monday 9 June 2025, Sista’s Communications & Advocacy Coordinator and Project Officer, met with Emily Au-Young, Founder of Reemi and Nevada Brown, Head of Product at Reemi.

This month, the Sista team met with Emily and Nevada from Reemi, a non-profit working to end period poverty by providing reusable menstrual products. The conversation highlighted Reemi’s work in partnership with World Vision Vanuatu to support women and girls living with disabilities, and gave Sista the chance to share insights from our own menstrual health projects, including the Sikmun Storian and our 2023 menstrual cup survey.
Thank you to Emily and Nevada for taking the time to meet with us — we look forward to exploring potential ways to collaborate in the future!

We Rise Coalition (WRC) Diversity, Inclusion, Engagement & Movement (DIEM) Strategy Session

On Tuesday 10th of June, the Sista team attended a full day Zoom session focused on uncovering the WRC DIEM Strategy, delivered by ‘Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki online with the coalition members.

The uncovering of the DIEM strategy consisted of going through the document together with the facilitator, who explained the different Goals of the strategy in detail to the coalition.

Additionally, the session provided an opportunity for the coalition to revise together the key components of the strategy such as the “shared partnership objectives” and assess whether they are practical, and if they are being practiced by the different partner organizations of the coalition.

VANGO Annual General Meeting

Over 60 member organisations gathered at the Ramada Resort on Thursday 12th June to attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Vanuatu Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (VANGO). Sista’s Executive Director (ED), a board member of VANGO, was honored to witness the great progress that VANGO has made over the years. It was exciting to see the launch of the newly developed CSO reporting standards template, CSO Good Governance and Practice Guide and the CSO directory. Congratulations to Shirley Abraham and her team for their outstanding work.

Young Women’s Leadership Program Planning – CARE

On June 13th, the CARE Gender Equality Together (GET) Team and Sista staff came together for a collaborative planning meeting focused on the Young Women’s Leadership Program (YWLP) activities in both Port Vila and Tanna. This key coordination session ensured that all components of the program remain on track and aligned with agreed timelines.

The agenda included updates on ongoing and upcoming activities, finalizing schedules, and detailed planning for major events such as the Feminism and Social Media Workshop and Intergenerational Dialogues in both locations. The team also reviewed the internship component and explored a potential partnership for the Vois Blong Mi initiative.

Discussions helped clarify roles, address gaps, and lock in logistics for upcoming actions. Both teams reaffirmed their shared commitment to meaningful youth engagement and feminist-informed programming. The meeting concluded with a clear roadmap and renewed momentum to deliver the next phase of YWLP, strengthening collaboration and impact across Port Vila and Tanna.

Accelerator Hub Wraps Up Final Workshop – We Rise Coalition

On June 16th, Sista’s Project Coordinator led the final group workshop for the Accelerator Hub program, focusing on financial management. Participants learned key skills such as budgeting, managing project bank accounts, procurement, and financial acquittals. The session combined presentations with practical exercises, resulting in two completed costed work plans.

The workshop marked the transition to one-on-one support sessions, where each organization will receive tailored guidance to strengthen their financial systems. These sessions will continue through the end of the month. This milestone reflects Sista’s ongoing commitment to empowering grassroots partners with the tools and confidence to manage their projects effectively and sustainably.

A huge thank you to the We Rise Coalition for supporting this initiative and making it possible for us to work with emerging organizations in such a meaningful and impactful way!

Handover of Sista Emai Database

Between June 16th and 23rd, the Sista Project Officer formally handed over the organization’s email database to the new Communications & Advocacy Officer. The handover included updating and organizing contacts, ensuring she had the tools and knowledge to manage ongoing email communications effectively.

The database connects stakeholders interested in gender equality, funding, and advocacy opportunities. The Project Officer shared best practices and examples of past communications to support a smooth transition. This handover secures continuity in Sista’s strategic outreach, helping the team maintain timely, effective communication with a growing network committed to advancing women’s rights in Vanuatu.

Want to be part of our email database? Send your request to Sista’s Communications & Advocacy Officer, lorine@sista.com.vu

Deakin University Project on Technology-Facilitated Abuse

On June 17th, Professor Diarmaid Harkin hosted a follow-up session at the Holiday Inn in Port Vila to present the final findings of his research on technology-facilitated abuse in Vanuatu. This event marked the conclusion of the research phase and served as an important opportunity to share key insights with local stakeholders, including representatives from civil society, government, and the broader community.

The session provided an overview of the nature, scale, and impact of technology-facilitated abuse identified through the study, which included forms such as online harassment, non-consensual image sharing, and digital surveillance. Participants were invited to reflect on the findings and engage in open dialogue about possible responses, including policy reform, public education, and community-led interventions.

The event highlighted the need for continued collaboration across sectors and highlighted the importance of grounding future action in evidence-based research. It was a key step toward developing coordinated, practical solutions to address technology-facilitated abuse and ensure safer online spaces for everyone in Vanuatu.

Sista meets with ICAAD

In May, Sista’s Program Manager and Projects Officer participated in the Track GBV Dashboard Workshop hosted by ICAAD (International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination). ICAAD is a human rights advocacy center that equips communities most impacted by systemic inequity with the tools needed to drive lasting, systemic change.

The Track GBV Dashboard is an innovative tool designed to illustrate the link between gender discrimination and violence. It provides an overview of judicial bias in sentencing decisions in gender-based violence (GBV) criminal cases across Pacific Island countries.

Following this engagement, on June 18th, Sista’s Executive Director and Program Manager met with ICAAD’s Director and Change Facilitator to explore potential areas of collaboration. Discussions focused on strengthening the “Stanap Stong Akensem Vaelens” website and identifying other opportunities for partnership moving forward.

Accelerator Hub One-on-One Sessions with Participating Organisations

As part of the Accelerator Hub Program’s final phase, Sista’s Project Coordinator Rosina Lore Kaimbang provided tailored one-on-one support to participating organizations, focusing on their specific needs like digital tools, budgeting, concept notes, and partner engagement.

From June 19th to 26th, sessions covered Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Canva, Google Drive, grant proposals, and strategic networking with groups including Port Vila City Council of Women, Silae Vanua, Southeast Ambrym Association, Food, Health and Rights, and the Widow’s Association. These sessions resulted in finalized concept notes, budgets, and strengthened skills.

This personalized support boosted organizational confidence and readiness, marking a practical and empowering conclusion to the Accelerator Hub journey. The organizations now move forward equipped to implement their projects and lead positive change in their communities.

First MAV Executive Meeting

The newly elected Executive of the Media Association of Vanuatu (MAV) held their first meeting on 19 June at the VBTC conference room. With five members present, including Sista’s Comms & Advocacy Coordinator and We Rise Coalition’s Comms Officer, the meeting laid the groundwork for the team’s priorities and direction moving forward. While some members were unable to attend due to personal commitments, the discussions helped set a strong tone for the Executive’s term ahead.

Town Planning Session – Vois Blong Vila

On Friday 20th June 2025, the Sista team joined an inspiring conversation with Nick around the future of Port Vila, as part of the Vois Blong Vila initiative. With Vanuatu continuing to rebuild after the December earthquake, this initiative aims to reimagine a more inclusive and resilient capital city—one that reflects the voices and needs of its people. Sista was proud to contribute, with a strong focus on creating a town that better serves young women and girls.

Big thanks to Nick for holding space for these meaningful discussions.

Sista New Board 2025

Sista welcomed it’s new board members to Sista and socialized them into the previous, upcoming and current work of Sista. The ED shared challenges as well as exciting opportunities including the development of a new Strategic Plan. Keep your eye out in the coming months for a formal introduction to Sista’s new board.

CSO Forum by VANGO

On June 27th, VANGO hosted a CSO forum on VANGO’s 2024 Citizenship budget. This forum provided a brief of VANGO and its work, Anti-corruption in Vanuatu and the work of Transparency International in Vanuatu, the work of the RTI unit and a chance for dialogue between organizations present.

The attendees of this workshop ranged from NGO’s, Community based organizations (CBOs) and community stakeholders such as Chiefs from different communities and Churches represented by Pastors invited by the Vanuatu Christian Council. The Sista Program Manager was among the attendees of this event.

The attendees of the forum had opportunities to discuss the citizenship budget guide and provide feedback on this report. CSO’s also provided feedback on recommendations made by VANGO based on community consultations to the Ministry of Finance.

The forum wrapped up with the handover of a statement of recommendations to the Ministry of Finance representative with findings of these consultations with the intention to start a constructive, open and respectful dialogue to bring about positive change.

Right to Information (RTI) Workshop

On the 26th and 27th of June a 2-day Workshop was hosted by the Vanuatu RTI unit in partnership with MAV, aimed at deepening the media practitioners’ understanding of the RTI Act. Our WRC Communications Officer was fortunate to attend alongside the Sista Communications Team who are members of the Media Association of Vanuatu (MAV).

The sessions focused on learning how to draft and submit effective RTI requests to uncover important public-interest stories, and how to navigate exemptions and challenge unjustified refusals.

It covered the legal obligations of government agencies to produce requested information as stipulated under the Act, the importance of RTI in achieving democracy, and the media’s role in public awareness.

This two-day workshop has equipped the participants with invaluable information and insights into the relationship between RTI and media, including the achievements and challenges that the two institutions can collaboratively advocate on.

Catch up with DFAT Vanuatu Team

Sista’s ED, Program Manager and Project Coordinator were thrilled to welcome Dominic Ransan-Cooper and Jodie Kapalu to Sista’s office to share about Sista’s work and plans for the future. We look forward to strengthening our relationship to build an inclusive Vanuatu together.

Other News

Operations role in Sista’s Project Activities

In June, the Logistics and Procurement officer and Finance team played a vital role in supporting project activities led by Sista’s Projects team.

On June 9th, the team assisted in securing catering services and the venue for the Young Women Leadership Intergenerational Dialogue Half Day Workshop at Vanuatu Kaljoral Center, ensuring that all logistical needs were met for a smooth and successful event.

Our Logistics and Finance Officer also supported the Project Coordinator and Project Officer during the Accelerator Hub Workshop. The workshop ran from May to June. During this time, the officer helped arrange catering and provided other important logistical support. This teamwork helped the sessions run smoothly. It also shows the team’s commitment to supporting successful program delivery.

Adaptive Leadership Workship

We wrapped up the month with an Adaptive Leadership workshop with the Balance of Power team. It really made us think about what leadership looks like in real life ,not just about roles or titles, but how we deal with challenges and support each other. It was a helpful session with some really useful takeaways we’ll definitely carry with us.

Thank you Wilson, and to the rest of the Balance of Power Vanuatu team who joined us at the end of the session! We look forward to more learning opportunities together in the future.

Welcoming NEW Australian Volunteer

We’re pleased to welcome Neva, our new Australian volunteer, who began working remotely with us on June 30th. Neva joins as an NGO Finance & HR Capacity Development Mentor and will work closely with the team to strengthen both finance and HR systems. We look forward to having her join us in person in mid-August.

As we close off June, we carry forward the siSTAR spirit of resilience and solidarity that deind this month – we are ready to keep building, creating and rising together!

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NEWS

‘The scars children carry can last a lifetime’ August 13, 2026
Amid the public outrage and questions over the President’s recent pardoning of convicted rapists and the alarming increase in child abuse cases in Vanuatu, the REACH Family Centre is calling on Parliament to pass the proposed Child Protection Bill, saying stronger laws are needed to hold people who abuse children accountable. Every day at the REACH Family Centre, Mansen Roy and Salokie Narfi work alongside children experiencing challenges no child should face. Some are struggling with overwhelming stress. Others are navigating violence at home, bullying, online harm and the fear of speaking out. For Narfi, a counsellor and group work practitioner for children and adolescents, the hardest part is seeing how many suffer in silence. “Children want to come for help, but they are scared of the consequences,” she says. “Some are afraid their parents will find out. Others are afraid nobody will believe them.” Using drawing, play therapy and other child-friendly approaches, Narfi helps children express emotions they cannot find the words for. She remembers one child who repeatedly blacked out at school. “Through counselling, the child understood the emotional pain carried,” she says. “The mother also received counselling. Today that child is brighter, more confident and looking forward to the future.” But not every story has such a hopeful ending. Roy, REACH’s Acting Executive Director, says many of the challenges children face are made worse by gaps in protection and understanding. “Violence against children remains one of the biggest issues,” he says. “We should teach, guide and love children,” he says. “Wrong treatment can create trauma that children carry for their whole lives, like a scar that never goes away.” Against this backdrop, REACH is pushing for the proposed Child Protection Bill to reach Parliament and become law. Both Roy and Narfi say the legislation would strengthen their work by creating a clearer approach to responding when children are at risk of serious harm, including sexual abuse. It would also help place children’s wellbeing at the centre of decision-making. “This Bill will support our work in the field,” Mansen says. “The justice system punishes perpetrators, but what about the survivors? Children also need healing, psychological support and protection to move forward into the future.” Narfi says the law would also ensure serious cases of abuse are recognised early and responded to properly. “Children are the future of the country,” she says. “If this Bill passes, we can build a stronger Vanuatu with children who are supported, protected and able to become the future leaders of our nation.” REACH is one of the few organisations in Vanuatu providing holistic support to entire families, working with mothers, fathers and children together because lasting change begins at home. Yet the demand for counselling and mental health support continues to grow, while resources remain limited. Roy believes passing the Child Protection Bill is no longer simply a legal decision – it is a moral one. “Child protection affects everyone because every one of us was once a child,” he says. For the children who are too frightened to speak, and for those still carrying invisible scars, the time to act is now. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Man remanded over alleged sexual assault of four-year-old girl August 13, 2026
A man from Tanna has been remanded in custody after being charged over the alleged sexual assault of a four-year-old girl at Salili on Efate last week. The accused, identified in a remand warrant as Simeon Tom Yatika, appeared before the Port Vila Magistrates’ Court on 11 August 2026. He is charged with unlawful sexual intercourse, contrary to section 97(1) of the Penal Code [CAP 135]. The prosecution applied for the accused to be held in custody, and the court granted the application. The warrant directs the officer in charge of the Correctional Centre to keep Yatika in custody until his next appearance on 25 August 2026 at 9am. A source close to the Magistrates’ Court said the court was informed that the alleged victim suffered injuries and experienced difficulty using the toilet after the incident. The court also reportedly heard that the accused had been receiving mental health care but had not attended medical appointments for some time. The circumstances surrounding that information remain matters for the court and relevant medical professionals to consider. The allegations have not been tested at trial. The accused has not been convicted and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case has caused concern and renewed public frustration over the protection of children and the handling of sexual offence cases in Vanuatu. Many members of the public are expected to question whether vulnerable children are receiving adequate protection, medical care and support after alleged abuse. The case also comes amid wider criticism from women’s groups over the treatment of child sex offenders and calls for stronger safeguards in decisions involving pardons and accountability. Women’s groups have recently urged the Government to review the presidential pardon process following the pardoning of men convicted of sexually abusing children. Community members have called for the justice system to respond firmly to allegations involving children, while also stressing the importance of allowing the courts to assess the evidence fairly and independently. Under Vanuatu law, sexual intercourse with a child under 13 is a serious criminal offence, with the law providing a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The prosecution must nevertheless prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt before a conviction can be entered. The matter remains before the Port Vila Magistrates’ Court. The child’s identity has been withheld to protect her privacy. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Cervical cancer preventable, yet a leading cause of death among Vanuatu women August 12, 2026
Minister of Health Robert Bohn said cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of death among women in Vanuatu, yet it is entirely preventable through vaccination, screening and early treatment. Speaking at the official launch of the Vanuatu National Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy 2026–2035 yesterday, Minister Bohn said access to these highly effective prevention measures had previously been limited or unavailable in Vanuatu. As a result, women were often diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease, when treatment options were limited and survival rates were lower. Minister Bohn said the launch reaffirmed a collective commitment to ensuring women and girls have access to prevention, screening and treatment services, with their health, dignity and future at the centre of the national effort. “The Vanuatu Strategy aligns with the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Problem and its 90-70-90 coverage targets: 90 per cent of girls fully vaccinated with HPV by age 15; 70 per cent of women screened with an HPV test or other high-performance test by ages 35 and 45; and 90 per cent of women with cervical pre-cancer treated and women with invasive cancer appropriately managed,” he said. The Minister of Health said the Government of Vanuatu, through this strategy, is reaffirming its commitment to achieving these goals by 2035. Mr. Bohn said Vanuatu now has accessible, culturally appropriate and scalable approaches to prevention, and together the country can make a difference for women and families across the country. “The country has already made significant progress on this pathway, and today I would like to acknowledge the persistence, advocacy and hard work of health and community workers to reduce the preventable burden, incidence, illness and death caused by cervical cancer,” he said. “An opportunistic screening programme has existed since 2008, with national Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-based screening implemented in 2022, and close to 20,000 women screened to date. The hard work of the Vanuatu Ministry of Health, the Vanuatu Family Health Association and the Ikkana Cancer Society has meant that access to screening has been made available across all provinces, with over 3,500 women receiving treatment.” Mr. Bohn said Vanuatu is also protecting girls from cervical cancer through HPV vaccination, with the national HPV vaccination programme beginning in 2023 and 16,412 girls vaccinated to date. He said this ensures that today’s girls grow up protected, empowered and free from a disease that previously often arrived too late for treatment. “With continued awareness and coordinated delivery strategies, communities learn that the HPV vaccine protects their children and they therefore want their children to be vaccinated,” he said. “As we endorse this document, we acknowledge the journey of women and families affected, the conscientious efforts of health and community workers to improve health outcomes and the valued collaboration of international partners which strengthens our progress. “The Strategy presents a roadmap to strengthen and sustain current efforts, prioritising primary health care, public health approaches and people-centred service delivery tailored to the Vanuatu context.” Minister Bohn said sustained progress would require long-term, sustainable financing and continued coordinated efforts across sectors and disciplines to ensure Vanuatu remains on the path to eliminating cervical cancer. He said the Government of Vanuatu is committed to ensuring activities are adequately coordinated, funded and maintained over time. “Government commits to ensuring that no woman is left unseen, no girl unprotected, and no life lost to a preventable disease,” he said. The senior consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology, medical lead for the cervical cancer screening programme and chairperson of the development of the cervical cancer elimination strategy, Dr Boniface Damutalau, said the document launched yesterday provides a roadmap for combating cervical cancer. He said cervical cancer screening began in 2022 using new technologies to detect pre-cancerous lesions, and the launch of the strategy provides guidance for screening, vaccination, treatment and sustainability of the programme through to 2035. “It’s a document that helps us with a roadmap of how we do our screening, our vaccination, our treatment of pre-cancerous lesions, and also it will help us with the sustainability of the programme for the next 10 to 15 years,” he said. Dr Damutalau said available data shows around 18 per cent of women have HPV infection, although he believes the figure could be higher because the hospital continues to see two or three new cervical cancer cases each month. He explained that the best way to prevent cervical cancer is through immunisation of young girls aged around 9 to 14 years and regular screening. Dr Damutalau said screening is the only way to detect cervical cancer early, allowing treatment to begin before the disease progresses. He said Vanuatu can currently treat stage 1 cervical cancer locally, while women with more advanced stages must travel overseas for further treatment. “There are a lot of challenges. I think the biggest ones that we encounter are that Vanuatu is very sparse, with different islands, so there is a lot of geography we have to go through, and human resources are also one of the important things that we combat every day,” he said. “Human resources across ministries are not enough, but we always try to reach as far as where women live, from remote places in the north down to the south.” Dr Damutalau acknowledged the efforts made by women who come forward to clinics for screening. He said there are currently two clinics providing services, one in Port Vila and one in Luganville. Cervical cancer is caused by HPV, and once a woman becomes infected, the virus can change cells on the cervix, causing them to become cancerous. Dr Damutalau said most HPV infections clear naturally, but some remain and can increase the risk of cervical cancer. He said about 90 per cent of cervical cancers are linked to HPV, which is why vaccination and early screening are important. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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More boys than girls drop out of school August 12, 2026
More boys than girls are dropping out of secondary schools in Vanuatu, with TORBA Province recording the highest dropout rate. Boys are repeating grades more than girls at both primary and secondary levels across all provinces, and TORBA Province again has the highest repetition rate. These findings were conveyed by the Director of Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), John Gideon, in his presentation to set the tone for discussions at the National Education Forum in Port Vila. He said more boys are leaving school for reasons beyond the classroom, such as the cost of education, distance to school and boarding challenges. In 2016, Vanuatu came up with a policy requiring children to start formal primary school at age 6. Director Gideon revealed that the net enrolment rate has been declining since 2023, with girls recording a higher rate while boys’ participation remains lower. Girls also recorded higher gross enrolment rates than boys at every level. Director Gideon also mentioned that the education system is not retaining students, especially at the secondary level. He said about 41 out of every 100 children who start Year 1 remain in school by Year 6, and only about 5 out of every 100 continue through to Year 13. Director Gideon highlighted that the number of early childhood centres has decreased since 2022, primary schools have remained stable, while secondary schools have grown the most, with 67 new schools established since 2015. “There are over 5,400 teachers, but they are not where the students are,” he said. SHEFA, TAFEA and SANMA have the most senior secondary schools, while TORBA faces a severe shortage of junior secondary teachers. Director Gideon encouraged participants at the forum to examine what the data reveals about boys’ engagement in the education system, how to increase enrolment in early childhood and the relationship between enrolment and student progress. Currently, 104,510 students are enrolled across more than 1,000 registered schools in Vanuatu. However, Director General Cherol Ala pointed out that not all children are in school, highlighting the need to improve access, enrolment and participation. While literacy and numeracy outcomes continue to decline, she said monitoring of the nationwide Curriculum Improvement Program (CIP), launched last year, is showing improved outcomes in student learning. Other challenges she mentioned include student and teacher attendance, high dropout rates, limited access to formal training and qualifications, school infrastructure, access to schools and rolling out internet connectivity. She reminded everyone about the ministry’s mission to provide young people with lifelong skills, values and confidence to become self-reliant and contribute to development. Throughout the four-day National Education Forum, government leaders, educators and partners have discussed what has not worked and what needs to be done to improve education outcomes. The forum ends today. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Vanuatu’s education crisis a ‘national disaster’ – Pikinini Playtime CEO August 12, 2026
Pikinini Playtime founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tony Batten has described Vanuatu’s education situation as a “national disaster”, warning that poor literacy outcomes among children could affect the country’s future development. Speaking during an interview on Kava Mo Kajap, Mr. Batten said reports that around 70 per cent of children are unable to read and write at the expected level should be treated as a serious national concern. “I think it is a national disaster, like a hurricane or an earthquake,” Mr. Batten said. He said Vanuatu’s greatest resource is not its land or natural resources, but its people, and education is the foundation needed to develop that human resource. “Human resources are the number one resource for Vanuatu,” he said. Mr. Batten said countries that have successfully moved from being less developed to more advanced economies have done so by investing heavily in education and building a skilled population. However, he said Vanuatu’s current education results remain a major concern despite the country spending a significant amount of its national budget on education. “Vanuatu gives a lot of money per capita into education, but the results are still among the lowest in the Pacific,” he said. The Pikinini Playtime founder said the challenge is not only about funding but about how the education system delivers results. He questioned why many students continue to leave school without basic reading and writing skills despite years spent in classrooms. Mr. Batten said the impact of poor education outcomes can also be seen in the country’s workforce, where businesses often recruit skilled workers from overseas to fill positions. “We bring people from the Philippines and other countries to do accounting, bookkeeping, management, building and supervisory work, but many ni-Vanuatu are not able to take those opportunities because they do not have the basic education,” he said. He said the literacy issue must be addressed early because children who fail to develop strong reading skills in their early years often struggle throughout their education journey. Mr. Batten also raised concerns about the value placed on education within the system. He said teacher absenteeism, weak accountability and a lack of support for educators contribute to children losing confidence in learning. “When children see that school is not important, they begin to believe they don’t need school,” he said. Mr. Batten acknowledged that many teachers are working under difficult conditions but said the system needs stronger support, training and leadership to improve outcomes. He believes improving education requires everyone involved — government, schools, teachers, principals and parents — to work together. “Children are smart. They have the ability. But they need the right support and the right opportunities,” he said. Mr. Batten said addressing literacy must become a national priority because the future of Vanuatu depends on the quality of education provided to today’s children. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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