May Newsletter 2024

Jul 10, 2024 | Newsletters | 0

From juggling different projects and attending game-changing meetings to celebrating #NationalWomensDay, the team did a lot of learning in May!

We geared up for the National Referendum on the 29th by continuously sharing content about the importance of civic education, the duty to vote, and resources from the Vanuatu Electoral Office. Access FREE copies here.

In our latest projects, we made exciting progress!

The Vois Blong Mi (VBM) Project moved forward with film reviews, thanks to our collaboration with videographer Markson Taiki from MATAKAMBU and our partnership with the VBM team at CARE.

We supported the Gender Equality Together team from CARE with the pilot of the Young Men’s Panel Discussion, part of the Yumi Wokbaot Tugeta initiative. It was a big hit, bringing together diverse young men to discuss healthy masculinity and non-violent relationships.

Our Young Women’s Leadership Program (YWLP) was in full swing! We matched 10 interns with host organizations in Port Vila and five in Tanna. The host organizations in Vila included Titan FX, Gaston Chocolate, and Vila Central Hospital. The feedback was fantastic, and our interns gained invaluable experience. Huge thanks to all the host organizations for their support and cooperation. We can’t wait to see these young women thrive!

On the 1st, we acknowledged Labour Day. We also celebrated National Women’s Day on the 15th by sharing a short video of the Sista team reminding women of the importance of voting. Later, on the 18th, we celebrated the amazing #WomenInMaritime.

We highlighted Melissa Bule, who represented Vanuatu and young women and girls at the Pacific Youth Council Convening in Fiji.

We shared information about the #SotSotStorian competition led by Vanuatu Literature, encouraging writers from diverse backgrounds to share a short story about the ocean. Keep an eye out for the winning stories!

We joined the countdown to Menstrual Health Day on May 28th by sharing posts from the Pacific Menstrual Health Network. They have been breaking the silence and normalizing conversations about periods with the launch of their powerful storytelling platform. They collaborated with six incredible storytellers from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu, capturing their raw and inspiring period stories. Women-led videography teams in all six countries shared their unique behind-the-scenes experiences.

Amino David, a 41-year-old male advocate from Pango Village, is a well-known local figure and role model in Port Vila. He is the only male storyteller in the Pacific Period Stories campaign! A big shout-out to Amino for his bravery in sharing his experience and normalizing the conversation about menstruation in such a groundbreaking way. Check out the campaign here.

We attended important meetings and consultations, including the National Review of the Beijing Platform for Action with the Department of Women’s Affairs and other NGOs. Sista’s Executive Director attended the We Rise Executive Director meeting in Fiji to discuss the coalition’s next phase. We were also part of a youth consultation with the Head of State.

Additionally, we met with the Netherlands Ambassador to share our work in Vanuatu, supported Penpena Mouri with their planning and preparation for an upcoming workshop with single mothers, submitted financial reports, and spoke with an Australian Volunteer who will support the team for the next six months!

Keep reading to see what else we got up to in May!

Projects

Jinny Ruben – Sista Gat Style, Vanuatu Daily Post

To celebrate #NationalWomensDay we celebrate the funny, confident, compassionate and lover of life – Jinny Ruben!

Wife, mother of four and coach extraordinaire, Jinny is a walking blend of bold Pacifica style and contagious optimism.

Hailing from serene Pohangina valley in New Zealand, she highlights the importance of enjoying the little things in life as she shares how she spends her free time: having a cup of tea with a good book or spending time with family and friends.

With a heart set on uplifting others and a mantra of ‘low expectations, high hopes,’ she plans on setting up a charity aiding medical treatment and impacting women’s lives across Vanuatu.

#SistaGatStyle #WomanVanuatu #WomanNewZealand #Mother #LifeCoach #Funny #Confident #Kind

Vois Blong Mi Project – CARE

On Wednesday 8^th of May at 10:00am the Communications Officer had a meeting with the videographer and producer, Markson Taiki from MATAKAMBU, and they discussed our way forward for VBM Films. The goal of the meeting was to identify key titles and set a date to review the first drafts of each film so that the Sista team and the VBM team from CARE can review and provide feedback before the end of June 2024, when we should have the final product for each film.

The comms team at Sista has also been sharing behind the scenes posts from filming in the lead up to the final publications in July!

Round Table Podcast – We Rise Coalition & PACMAS

We released episode 19 this month!

One of Vanuatu’s greatest nation builders, working in academia, development, literacy and more, our guest Anna Naupa joins Elsie to unpack the significance of civic education and women’s political participation in Vanuatu.

Catch us on the Sista website to join the conversation: https://www.sista.com.vu/podcast/

Yumi Wokbaot Tugeta: Young Men’s Program, Intergenerational Dialogue – CARE

The Young Men’s Panel Discussion, “What Do Boys Need to Grow Up to Be Healthy and Non-Violent Men?” took place on May 22, 2024, as part of the Yumi Wokbaot Tugeta (Young Men’s Initiative) in Vanuatu.

The discussion explored key influences and needs for boys to grow up healthy and non-violent, emphasizing the role of positive male role models, strategies to prevent violence, and the importance of intergenerational dialogue. The panel aimed to provide a platform for male advocates and experts to share insights, engage young men in discussions about healthy masculinity, and identify practical steps and community actions supporting the development of non-violent men.

We were glad to have had our panelists, Tevita Taravaki, founder of the Marama Youth Foundation, and Superintendent, Iaken Ampen from the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), cover topics such as the importance of gender equality, the role of fatherhood, understanding and preventing violence, and building a supportive community. Young men from the Yumi Wokbaot Tugeta program attended, contributing personal observations about societal issues and the need for open dialogue and active engagement to promote a non-violent, equitable society.

This program is currently in its Pilot stage, but we look forward to working closely with our partners at CARE to carry out the next phase soon!

Yumi Wokbaot Tugeta: Young Men’s Program, Video for Mother’s Day – CARE

On Friday the 17^th of May, the Comms Officer and Project Officer went to the CARE office to capture short videos of young men and boys from the Yumi Wokbaot Tugeta: Young Men’s Program, to share a sweet message about their mother for Mother’s Day.

They were asked a set of questions about their experiences growing up with their mothers. Watch the video HERE.

Young Women’s leadership Program (YWLP) Internship period – CARE

The YWLP internship period began on the 6th of May. Following the conclusion of the second block of YWLP workshops, all participants were encouraged to apply for internship opportunities with host organizations. In Port Vila, there were 23 participants and 10 host organizations. The CARE and Sista teams reviewed all host and intern applications and matched the 10 successful interns with their respective host organizations. This matching process was similarly conducted in Tanna, where there were 10 participants and 5 available internship spots.

The hosting organizations for this internship period include Titan FX, which is hosting 2 interns; Gaston Chocolate, hosting 1 intern; Vila Central Hospital’s Social Work Department, hosting 1 intern; Pacific Advisory, hosting 1 intern; VANGO, hosting 1 intern; ProMedical, hosting 1 intern; the Vanuatu Australia Policing and Justice Program, hosting 1 intern; the Vanuatu Society of People with Disability, hosting 1 intern; and Sista, hosting 1 intern. In Tanna, the Tafe Province is hosting 1 intern, DWA is hosting 1 intern, CARE is hosting 2 interns, and TCC is hosting 1 intern.

Inductions for the successful YWLP participants from both Tanna and Port Vila took place on the 3rd of May, preparing each intern for the start of their internship on the 6th of May. On this date, the Sista team facilitated the introductions between the host organizations and their interns in Port Vila, while in Tanna, the CARE team led the introductions.

The projects team extends heartfelt thanks to all the host organizations for their cooperation and open communication throughout this period. The interns have expressed that they have gained significant knowledge and appreciate the opportunity to experience the workforce under the guidance of their supervisors at each organization.

We Rise Coalition (WRC) Website Development and Introduction Deck finalization and posting

The We Rise communications and Advocacy coordinator piggybacked off the discussions had at the Executive Directors meeting in Fiji at the end of April to revitalize the work being done with WRC focal points in creating and finalizing content as well as continuing the work being done towards the WRC website development.

In May, the We Rise focal points meeting was scheduled for the 17^th of May and leading up to that, the introduction deck for all WRC partners was circulated for finalizing and scheduled for posting on the 15^th of May when it was published.

The Focal points meeting on the 17^th of May allowed the focal points in attendance to find the most suitable platforms for communication with the WRC coordinator and cover what is needed from each organization towards the completion of the WRC website. The WRC communications coordinator hopes to keep the momentum going as changes are being made to the draft website and more content is in the process of finalization as We Rise phase 4 approaches.

National Women’s Day Video – We Rise Coalition

On 15th May we celebrated National Women’s Day, by encouraging women to remember the importance of voting through a short video!

The video showcases Sista team members sharing why they feel it’s important to vote and their message of encouragement to other young women to vote as well.

By empowering women and girls to engage in democratic processes, we create greater representation, accountability and responsiveness in our Vanuatu’s governance structures.

Watch the full video here.

Other News

National Review of the Beijing platform for action

As part of our commitment to gender equality, the Ministry of Justice and Community Services, through the Department of Women’s Affairs (DWA), is reporting on Vanuatu’s progress in gender equality and women’s empowerment from June 2019 to May 2024. This involves a rapid desk review and consultations at both provincial and national levels, which will inform several key policies and plans, including the National Gender Equality Policy 2020-2030 and the Beijing Platform for Action.

These consultations engaged national and provincial governments and NGO partners, including Sista, to gather information on various projects, achievements, and challenges in advancing gender equality. The Sista Executive Director and Acting Program Manager attended the national review, which also introduced the Communications Working Group in preparation for the upcoming 15th Triennial.

The consultation allowed the Sista team to gather valuable insights from other NGOs and emphasize the importance of the Sista Library mapping activity. This event also provided networking opportunities, enhancing connections with new partners and clarifying Vanuatu’s progress in the 12 areas of the Beijing Platform for Action, despite some challenges due to short notice and limited time.

Penpena Mouri- PPAC Project

Sista’s Finance team had the pleasure of hosting a short training with Penpena Mouri – a locally, female led organization who advocates for better lives for single mama’s – to discuss the main of objectives of the PPAC project – in the lead up of their project implementation, “Sef spes blong yumi ol sista”.

This project focuses on addressing the rise of Single-Headed Female Households with a focus on impacts of seasonal worker’s scheme. Sista will also give support to implement the activities under this project and provide guidance on the financial aspect of this project.

We are looking forward to successfully implementing these activities and we wish Penpena Mouri all the best with this Project.

15th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women – Communications Working Group Meeting
The We Rise Communications and Advocacy Coordinator and the Sista Communications and Advocacy Coordinator are part of the Communications Working Group for the 15th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women. This group unites communications experts to enhance the visibility of the 15th Triennial Conference, the 8th Ministerial Meeting, and the Pacific Platform for Action on Gender Equality and Women’s Rights, both before and during the events.

The working group supports the Media Engagement programme, guiding communication processes related to the Conference and Ministerial Meetings in partnership with key stakeholders. Their goals include providing guidance on using mainstream and social media, and evaluating the effectiveness of media outreach efforts.

At their first meeting, members introduced themselves, reviewed the Terms of Reference, discussed collaboration methods, and outlined next steps. The We Rise and Sista coordinators are excited to contribute to this important initiative.

Invitation to the Consultation meeting with the Youth and the Head of State
On Friday, May 31st, Sista’s Executive Director and Communications and Advocacy Officer attended a consultation meeting with the head of state and various organizations in Port Vila, including youth groups, churches, workplaces, and government representatives. This meeting aimed to address the People’s Plan 2016-2030, focusing on creating an inclusive society that supports and protects the rights of all Ni-Vanuatu, including women, youth, the elderly, and vulnerable groups.

Held at the State House, the all-day consultation allowed youth representatives to discuss challenges they face with current projects and initiatives. They highlighted the importance of defining roles and relationships between the state, churches, traditional leaders, and communities in safeguarding human rights and traditional values.

The day concluded with group activities where participants worked together to understand their roles in the youth sector, build better relationships, and discuss their responsibilities in fostering a stronger, more inclusive nation.

We Rise Executive Director Meeting, Fiji

On the first week of May, the We Rise Coalition senior team including Executive Directors met to discuss the next phase of We Rise 4. We are excited to share with you how we intend to keep building a movement within our own respective countries but also across the region – together we are stronger!

Executive Director strategic stakeholder engagement

As part of her role to build and foster relationships, the Executive Director attended several key stakeholder meetings including with the UN Women Country Manager and the UN Desk at Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She also drew from the work of Sista, whether it be our engagement with women or with the media, to share our knowledge in surveys and interviews conducted by Girl Up, an initiative of the United Nations Foundation that advances girls to be leaders, or input into the Vanuatu State of Media Report led by the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS). She also contributed to Power Up’s analysis on the media and human rights landscape in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.

Launching of the Pacific Period Stories Webinar

Sista’s Project Officer had the pleasure of attending the online launch of the Pacific Period Stories Webinar.

This initiative aims to shed light on the impact of menstrual hygiene on women and girls by highlighting stories and experiences specific to the Pacific region.

The webinar was designed to bring attention to the unique challenges and cultural contexts surrounding menstrual health in the Pacific. It featured six speakers who shared insights and initiatives from the region, including the only male speaker, Amino David, from Vanuatu. The event served as a platform to discuss strategies, share knowledge, and promote menstrual health education and advocacy. It aligns with ongoing efforts to address menstrual health in the Pacific by recognizing the importance of local perspectives and solutions. The goal is to normalize the conversation about periods in society and eliminate the associated shame.

Pacific Menstrual Health Network is a group of Pacific organizations Including DIVA for Equality FIJI , Queenpads, Mamma’s Laef Vanuatu MANA Care Products kalekosteifree Fiji Women’s Rights Movement and WaterAid Australia. Picture source: DIVA for Equality FIJI Facebook

Netherlands Ambassador Visit

On Monday 13 May 2024, Sista had the pleasure of meeting with Ambassador of Netherlands Embassy and Consulate General in Australia, Stoios-Braken.

The team at Sista shared the work we do here in country, particularly the gender focused programs we carry out that highlight the importance of equality between men and women in Vanuatu.

Tankio tumas to the Ambassador of Netherlands and her team, for finding the time to meet with us!

Sista Upgrade on Payments

Sista finally received its own credit card at the beginning of this month. This was on our wish list since 2022. This will facilitate all Sista’s online payments moving forward. Thank you to Sista’s ED and the BSP team to make it happen.

Menstrual Cup Campaign & Distribution – Ambassade de France
On Thursday 9^th May 2024, the finance team at Sista submitted the finance report to Ambassade de France for the Menstrual Cup Campaign and Distribution. In November 10^th 2022, Ambassade de France made a donation of 1,119,209VUV to Sista for the Menstrual Cups Campaign and Distribution. The goal of the menstrual cup campaign is to open a new dialogue and direction on menstrual health and hygiene management in Vanuatu.

This project turned out very successfully and has allowed our team to reach many schools and establish a relationship with them. The Sikmoon Storian booklets that resulted from this project, will provide a way for schools to open up conversations around menstrual health and hygiene without shame. Thank you to Ambassade de France for the generous support that they provided to make this project possible.

Finance – We Rise Coalition

During the last week of April, Sista’s Executive Director and Finance & HR Manager have put together a work plan and budget proposal for We Rise phase 4 for Sista’s ED to present to We Rise during the executive directors workshop in Fiji the following week.

Human Resources – Interview with Australian Volunteers

On Monday 20^th of May 2024, Sista’s Executive Director and Finance & HR Manager have conducted online interviews with two Australian Volunteers. This interviews have been organized by Wycliffe Bakeo under the Australian Volunteers Program.

We should expect the successful candidate by mid August this year and she will be working as the Program Management Support Mentor for a period of 10 months. We look forward to learning and growing with her.

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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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