October Newsletter 2025

Nov 25, 2025 | Newsletters | 0

October has been a full and purposeful month for the Sista team — one grounded in collaboration, storytelling, feminist leadership, and strengthening the spaces where women and girls continue to rise. From international engagements and coalition meetings to creative projects, community workshops, and important partnerships, our work this month reflects the many ways we continue to advocate, connect, and grow alongside our siSTARS, partners, and communities.

Whether it was amplifying young women’s voices through Sista Gat Style, joining global conversations on women’s political participation, supporting creative storytelling through Wota i Toktok, or deepening skills for the Round Table Podcast, every activity reminded us of why we do this work: to uplift women, strengthen systems, and create safe, empowering spaces for all.

As you read through this month’s updates, we hope you feel the energy, dedication, and collective spirit that continues to guide Sista’s journey.

Project Activities

Sabrina Tabi – Sista Gat Style, Vanuatu Daily Post

In #Pinktober this year, we’re celebrating our siSTAR, Sabrina Tabi!

Hailing from the island of Pentecost, Sabrina is a 23-year-old law student at USP Emalus Campus, juggling her studies with her role as the Communications Officer for the We Rise Coalition—a collective of feminist NGOs from across the Pacific. She also channels her love for storytelling as a freelance journalist with the Vanuatu Daily Post.

Known for her simple, comfy, and modest sense of style, Sabrina lives by the quote, “Everything happens for a reason.”

Whether she’s reading mystery novels, layering her favorite Sunflowers Spray perfume, or balancing work, study, and faith—Sabrina reminds us that confidence and grace come from staying true to your values.

#SistaGatStyle #WomanPentecost #Student #YoungNiVanuatuWoman #Beautiful #Elegant #Confident

Young Pacific Leaders Workshop: Unlocking Grant Proposal

From 7th to 9th October, Sista’s Project Coordinator, Rosina Lore, took part in a three-day Unlocking Grants Workshop for Success, supported by the 🇺🇸 U.S. Department of State in partnership with Cultural Vistas.

During the workshop, Rosina engaged in sessions designed to strengthen skills in identifying funding opportunities and writing strong, responsive grant proposals. The workshop featured YPL Alumni from across the Pacific, who shared their expertise and real-world experience in successful grant implementation. Rosina reflected on the experience as truly inspiring—sitting alongside passionate, experienced participants from various Pacific countries allowed her to share ideas, learn new strategies, and gain practical insights to improve grant proposals, even for those who have been through the process before.

GR40 Consultation – We Rise Coalition

Sista, as part of the We Rise Coalition alongside the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement and femLINKpacific, joined women’s rights organisations from East Africa and the Asia-Pacific for the GR40 Consultation (refers to UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) General Recommendation No. 40, a 2024 guidance document advocating for 50-50 gender parity in all decision-making systems) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, hosted by IWRAW Asia Pacific.

The three-day consultation focused on CEDAW General Recommendation No. 40 on women’s political participation and leadership, exploring power, feminist leadership, and equal participation in decision-making. Sista’s Program Manager spoke on a panel about Temporary Special Measures (TSMs) and affirmative action, highlighting challenges in extending TSMs beyond municipal councils, referencing findings from the Balance of Powers and Voters Attitude reports, and stressing the importance of civic education and engaging men and boys to shift gender norms.

The exchange strengthened collective understanding of how to apply the CEDAW framework on political participation nationally and internationally, fostering connection, shared learning, and added to preparations for Sista to support in Vanuatu’s upcoming CEDAW reporting.

Let It Flow – Official Meet Up

Let It Flow is a clothing brand that specialises in sustainable period underwear and hygiene accessories, promoting alternative menstrual products that prioritise women’s comfort while encouraging sustainability and environmentally conscious choices around menstrual health.

On 8 October, Let It Flow founder Lucie Naka met with Sista’s Executive Director and Program Manager to share her work and explore potential connections with Sista’s ongoing efforts in menstrual health advocacy.

Thank you, Lucie, for dropping in and sharing your inspiring work with us!

Discussion on Women’s Political Participation

UNDP Vanuatu Electoral Environment Project (VEEP) consultant Charmaine Rodrigues visited Vanuatu from 20–24 October to meet with local stakeholders and discuss strategies for strengthening women’s political participation (WPP). Charmaine, who previously worked with the UNDP Pacific Centre on parliamentary development and WPP, is preparing a research report that updates earlier studies to reflect recent reforms to the Electoral Act and Political Parties Act. During her visit, she met with organizations including Sista to learn about NGO efforts over the past decade, gather reflections on current challenges, and explore future opportunities — including temporary special measures and the effectiveness of reserved seats in municipal councils.

Tanna YWLP Workshop and Intergenerational Dialogue – CARE in Vanuatu

As part of the Young Women’s Leadership Program (YWLP), Sista’s Project Coordinator facilitated a two-day workshop in Tanna on the 14th and 15th of October, with support from the Gender Equality Together Officer.

On the first day, nine participants attended the Feminism session, where they explored what feminism means, engaged in group discussions, and learned about the history of the feminist movement in Vanuatu and the Pacific. On the second day, eight participants joined the Social Media and Cyber Safety session, which aimed to help them understand what social media is, explore its positive and negative uses, and learn how to use it safely and responsibly.

Later on, Thursday 16 October 2025, the team facilitated an Intergenerational Dialogue bringing together YWLP participants and Young Men Alumni.

The session featured two panelists — Sylvana Kapum from Tanna Food Co. and Daniel Josaia, Program Manager at Nasituan — who shared their insights and experiences on the importance of supporting women in business.

The discussion highlighted that women’s success in business often begins with the support of their partners and immediate family members. While women may have the ideas and drive, they need men’s encouragement and assistance — whether financial, emotional, or practical — to help turn those ideas into reality.

The panelists emphasized that when women speak up and share their ideas, and when partners provide the initial support, the wider community and government can then step in to further sustain and grow these initiatives.

THANK YOU to the CARE team on Tanna for their support, and to the young women and men who joined these informative sessions with us.

Strengthening Partnerships Workshop

On the 28th of October, Sista’s Project Coordinator attended a stakeholder workshop organized by World Vision and Vanuatu Youth Challenge. The purpose of the workshop was to review the findings from youth research conducted by Vanuatu Youth Challenge in partnership with World Vision. The research focused on the challenges faced by young people in their communities, particularly in Torba, Efate, and Tanna.

There were many valuable discussions around the findings, and participants agreed to hold two separate follow-up meetings. One of these meetings will focus specifically on how to encourage young people to engage in agriculture, as many youths currently see it as a last resort, despite its strong potential to generate income and support families.

Business and Digital Literacy training with Go Digital Pacific

In the third week of October, Sista’s Project Coordinator supported the Go Digital Pacific team in identifying young girls, women, and youths who were interested and available to attend a one-week training held during the week of 27th October 2025. A total of 32 participants were identified and confirmed for the training, which focused on business and digital literacy.

Participants shared very positive feedback, noting that the sessions were informative and helpful. Many also recommended having more of this kind of training to give young girls, women, and youths greater opportunities to explore and grow in business.

Women in Media Meetings

This month, Sista’s Comms Coordinator worked closely with the Women in Media group to reconnect members and support the process of electing a new committee. Two meetings were held, with one supported by the We Rise Coalition — tankiu tumas, We Rise, for helping make that gathering possible.

While many members are juggling busy schedules and competing priorities, the group is steadily moving toward confirming an official committee to officially set up and guide the association forward.

Next Steps for Wota i Toktok – UTS, Water for Women Fund

Sista’s Comms Coordinator and WIT Project Lead met with Melita Grant twice this month to map out the next phase of the project. The team is now shifting into the creative stage — developing a dedicated website to showcase the artists’ work, along with a booklet that captures each artist’s journey and the stories behind their pieces.

Exciting things ahead for Wota i Toktok!

Round Table Podcast: Episode 1 & Capacity Strengthening – PACMAS

On 24 October, the Sista podcast team recorded the first episode of the Round Table Podcast 2.0 in our conference room. The conversation — hosted by Sista’s Executive Director with guest Markson Taiki — explored trending issues in Vanuatu. As our first episode in this new format, it came with plenty of learnings that will help shape and strengthen the upcoming recordings.

At the same time, we had the absolute pleasure of hosting Laura McAuliffe, who joined us to support the next phase of the #RoundTablePodcast. Laura shared practical guidance on episode structure, guest preparation, crisis communications, and social media strategy, helping us refine our storytelling and deepen the impact of our conversations.

Tankiu tumas, Laura — and a big thank you to ABC International Development through the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme for making this capacity-strengthening opportunity possible.

We Rise Coalition Steering Committee Update

On 29 October, the We Rise Coalition Steering Committee met online to share partner updates and discuss upcoming activities. Chaired by BGW’s Executive Director, Doris Tulifa, the meeting covered inputs needed for governance documents, planning for Women Deliver and CSW70, and finalising details for the WRC Communications and Advocacy Coordinators’ upcoming two-week placement in Fiji with FWRM and femLINK. The Coalition also confirmed that the 2026 We Rise Retreat will go ahead, with the location to be announced.

Alongside this, the WRC Program Manager, Sara Sandvall, and Sista’s Program Manager held their regular monthly check-in to support Sista’s role on the Steering Committee. The discussion included reflections from the Pacific Women Lead Annual Reflection and Analysis Workshop in Fiji, coordination with DFAT gender focal points, and upcoming We Rise activities where Sista’s inputs will be needed. These ongoing check-ins continue to strengthen coordination and ensure Sista is well supported in its SC responsibilities.

IWDA Program Manager visits Sista

In the last week of October, the Sista team was delighted to welcome Sara Sandvall, the WRC Program Coordinator, to the Sista office.

During her visit, Sara engaged with the team in strategic discussions and planning for upcoming activities, particularly around communications and advocacy work for the WRC Communications and Advocacy Officer based at Sista. She also met the wider team, joined the weekly office check-in, conducted financial spot checks, and facilitated a safeguarding training session.

A big thank you to the We Rise Coalition for making this in-office visit possible, and to Sara for a week of shared learning, collaboration, and strengthened coordination.

Other News

Australian Volunteers Program Workshop

Sista’s Finance Officer attended a Partner Organization Workshop held by AVI at the Ramada, thw workshop brought together key representatives from various partner organisations, and focused on strengthening collaboration, sharing updates, and discussing upcoming initiatives. Participants engaged in discussions around partnership expectations, volunteer placements, and capacity development. The workshop also provided an opportunity for networking and collective planning to support ongoing and future projects.

Safeguarding Workshop – We Rise Coalition

We Rise hosted a Safeguarding Workshop facilitated by Sara Sandvall, with a key focus on Child Protection Policy and PSEAH (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment). The session strengthened and refreshed Sista Staff’s understanding of safeguarding responsibilities, reporting procedures, and risk prevention strategies.

NEW intern for the Operations Team

We’re pleased to introduce Carol Peter, who joined Sista on 20th October as an intern supporting the Admin and Finance team for one month.

The Finance team is grateful for the hard work and support Carol has been providing so far. Welcome to the team, Carol!

British High Commission Luncheon with Women Leaders

The UK’s Regional Gender and Equalities Advisor, Claire Allen, visited Vanuatu last week as part of the UK’s ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality, preventing gender-based violence, and improving access to quality education. During her visit, a lunch meeting was held, bringing together key departments and organizations, including Sista, to discuss the challenges faced by Ni-Vanuatu women across different sectors and explore potential areas for UK support.

NZ High Commission Women Leaders Event
Sista’s ED attended a cocktail at NZ High Comm Residence to celebrate women leaders and their contributions to Vanuatu.

Participated in podcasts
On 14 October, Sista’s Comms Coordinator was invited to join an episode with Elaine Paliou, where she shared about Sista’s vision, values, and ongoing work in Vanuatu. Later, on 25 October, she participated in Between the Waves — a podcast series created for and led by women across the Pacific. In this episode, she reflected on Sista’s work, what feminism means to her, and how it shows up in the Vanuatu context, emphasising that each country’s feminist movement is shaped by its own unique realities. Tankiu tumas to Heather Jarvis, Elvina Ogil, and Mere Nailatikau for the rich and empowering conversation.

DFAT Engagements: Strategic Planning & Safeguarding

In October, the Sista team had the pleasure of meeting with the DFAT Vanuatu team — Jodie Kapalu, Tristina Karae, and Ellenson Taurakato — to share our first-ever Strategic Plan. It was a meaningful moment for us, and we’re grateful for DFAT’s ongoing support as we continue to grow and strengthen our work.

Later in the month, on 23 October, Sista’s Executive Director attended DFAT’s briefing session on their updated Child Protection and Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) policies, which came into effect in September 2025. The session provided an important space to discuss safeguards, raise questions, and gain clarity on responsibilities and expectations for all DFAT staff and partners delivering DFAT-funded work in Vanuatu and beyond.

Localisation Workshop with VANGO

The ED attended the Localisation Progress Review Workshop on 15 October, jointly organised by the Vanuatu Association of Non-Government Organisations (VANGO), the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Government Organisations (PIANGO), and Humanitarian Advisory Group (HAG).

The workshop was part of a broader initiative to assess and support localisation efforts in Vanuatu, building on the 2019 baseline established by VANGO, PIANGO and HAG through the Measuring Localisation Framework. The review explores progress across seven key domains: leadership, funding, coordination and complementarity, participation, policy influence, and advocacy.

World Vision Stakeholder Meeting

On Tuesday 21 October, the Sista leadership team was thrilled to welcome the World Vision team, led by Country Director Clement Chipokolo, at our office. Sista shared their Strategic Plan and heard about the wonderful work World Vision and the REACH Centre are currently doing. We look forward to potential future collaborations.

Follow Sista

NEWS

Skills competition brings Pacific nations together in Vanuatu October 21, 2026
Vanuatu has welcomed young skilled competitors from across the Pacific for the 2026 Vanuatu National Skills Competition and International Friendly Skills Competition, which opened in Port Vila yesterday, October 19. Competitors from Timor-Leste, Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, Nauru and Kiribati have joined Vanuatu participants for the competition, which aims to promote practical skills, technical education and training opportunities for young people. Chairman of the organising committee and Vanuatu Institute of Technology (VIT) Principal Wade Evans said the competition was an opportunity for young people to demonstrate how practical skills could contribute to national development and improve people’s lives. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Evans said the event was not only about the organisers but, more importantly, about the young people who had volunteered to represent their countries. “This competition is something that we in the Pacific, we humanists, we young, we small countries, we can make a difference by excelling in skills,” he said. He said the competition could inspire young people and communities to recognise the importance of skills in improving family livelihoods and creating opportunities for individuals. Evans also acknowledged Timor-Leste for inspiring Vanuatu to organise its own international skills competition after a Vanuatu delegation participated in a similar event there earlier this year. He thanked the organising committee, Pacific Australia Skills, the Ministry of Education and Training, Vanuatu Skills Partnership and Vanuatu Qualifications Authority for their support in bringing the event together. The competition will also feature other activities during the week, including a fashion show on Tuesday, a panel discussion on Wednesday covering artificial intelligence, green skills and skills in schools, and a cultural performance by VIT students on Thursday. Evans said the activities would demonstrate the connection between practical skills and culture, while giving visiting delegations opportunities to exchange experiences and build relationships. Representing the Minister of Education and Training, Simil Johnson, newly elected Ambae Member of Parliament (MP) Howard Aru welcomed the international competitors and recognised the efforts of Vanuatu’s national participants. MPAru said the competition provided an opportunity to celebrate the contribution skilled workers make to the country’s development. He said the Government’s proposed 60:40 plan aimed to strengthen skills development within the national curriculum, with trials already under way at three schools. Aru said Vanuatu needed skilled people who could build, install, maintain, produce and repair, as well as solve problems, manage businesses and introduce new ideas into their communities. “Practical skills help families earn an income. Businesses improve their services,” he said. He said technical and vocational education and training should be recognised as valuable pathways to further education, employment and business opportunities. Aru also stressed the importance of preparing young people for changing workplace demands, including digital technologies, renewable energy and sustainable practices. He said schools, training providers, employers and communities needed to work together to ensure young people received relevant training and opportunities to apply their skills. Drawing on his own experience as a parent, Aru said he strongly believed in skills education after encouraging his son to pursue a skills-based pathway rather than a conventional academic route. He said his son was now working with a company in Port Vila, and his friends had also become interested in skills training after seeing the pathway he had taken. Aru said climate change challenges and the needs of local businesses would continue to create opportunities for skilled workers in Vanuatu. He encouraged competitors to prepare carefully, work safely, manage their time and focus on the quality of their work, while respecting fellow competitors and learning from the experience. He also called on employers and industry partners to continue supporting skills development and strengthening the connection between training institutions and the workplace. The 2026 Vanuatu National Skills Competition and International Friendly Skills Competition was officially declared open by MP Aru. The event is expected to provide a platform for competitors, trainers and visiting delegations to exchange knowledge, strengthen regional partnerships and promote the value of technical and vocational education across the Pacific. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

read more...
Women Demand Action on Gender Equality Ahead of 2029 Elections October 19, 2026
Women’s development stakeholders have called on the Vanuatu Government to take stronger action on gender equality, saying decades of policies and commitments have failed to deliver meaningful representation of women in leadership. The call followed a two-day review of the National Gender Equality Policy (NGEP), held in Port Vila from October 14 to 15. The review brought together government officials, the Department of Women’s Affairs (DWA), civil society organisations, women’s groups, church leaders, youth representatives and development partners. Participants agreed that the Government must move beyond policy commitments and demonstrate political will through concrete action, accountability and legislative reform. Jenny Ligo, reporting on behalf of the participants, said Vanuatu already had policies and frameworks to advance gender equality, but implementation remained the main challenge. “Vanuatu has no reason not to be achieving gender equality. We have the policies and frameworks — what we lack is action,” she said. The review found that women remained underrepresented in political leadership, with participants pointing to decades of limited progress since Vanuatu gained independence in 1980. Only six women have been elected to Parliament since independence, while women currently hold just one of the 52 parliamentary seats. At the provincial level, none of the 101 provincial council seats is held by a woman. Although the 2023 Electoral Act No. 18 provides for reserved seats at the municipal level, participants said further measures were needed to improve women’s representation across all levels of government. The review also raised concerns about political parties’ commitment to gender equality, with 12 of the country’s 24 political parties lacking gender policies. Participants said the voluntary 10 per cent quota adopted by the Leaders Party had failed to deliver the desired results. The VT150,000 candidacy fee was also identified as a financial barrier that could prevent women from contesting elections, particularly those without sufficient financial support. Participants warned that the same challenges had been discussed repeatedly over the years without adequate progress. “We have spoken for decades, we have reviewed for decades, it is time for government to demonstrate political will. Women of Vanuatu are ready to lead. What is missing is space and support,” Mrs. Ligo said. “This is not just about women — it is about the future of democracy and the nation.” The review also raised concerns about public confidence in government, citing figures indicating that trust had declined from 96.5 per cent in earlier years to 73.5 per cent. To address these challenges, participants called for measures to strengthen women’s participation in decision-making and remove barriers to entering politics. One key recommendation was to introduce reserved seats at both provincial and parliamentary levels to ensure more equitable representation of women in elected positions. Participants also recommended amending the Political Parties Registration Act to require political parties to field at least 30 per cent women candidates, with sanctions for those that fail to comply. To reduce financial barriers, the review proposed establishing a Candidate Support Fund to provide VT150,000 each to 30 women seeking election. If all 30 candidates received the full allocation, the fund would total VT4.5 million. Another recommendation was to introduce a Three Levels Pipeline Program, with proposed funding of VT42.5 million to strengthen women’s leadership capacity at municipal, provincial and parliamentary levels. Participants said the programme would help women progress into leadership positions and prepare them to take part in political decision-making. The recommendations have been formally submitted to the DWA for consideration ahead of the 2029 national elections. Participants said decision-makers must now consider the proposals and turn them into practical measures that deliver measurable results. They also pledged to continue advocating for gender equality and holding decision-makers accountable for progress. The review concluded with a call for Vanuatu to move from repeated discussions and policy commitments to meaningful action, giving women a fairer opportunity to participate in political and public leadership. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

read more...
Male Insecurity Can Lead to Harmful Decisions, Therapist Warns October 19, 2026
Psychotherapist Sue Harris says unresolved feelings of insecurity, guilt and shame can influence men’s decisions and behaviour, making family support and positive male role models important in helping boys develop healthy self-worth. Her comments follow Dr Sale Vurobaravu’s warning about men practising silicone injections, which he said could have serious consequences for their lives. The issue has raised broader questions about the factors that may contribute to such behaviour among men in Vanuatu. Harris, a registered psychotherapist with a Master of Arts degree, said some men struggled with feelings of inadequacy and self-blame, even when they worked hard and tried to meet expectations. She said these feelings could influence their decisions, particularly if they had grown up without emotional support, encouragement or a strong sense of belonging. In more than three years of practice, Harris said she had seen men open up about their struggles and become emotional while sharing experiences that had deeply affected them. She explained that guilt and shame could lead men to believe they were not good enough, potentially influencing decisions that could harm their lives. Harris identified family separation and divorce as factors that could affect a child’s development and influence decisions later in life. She said children who grew up without feeling loved, praised or supported could struggle with their self-worth as adults. Harris said positive male role models were particularly important for boys, especially when their fathers were absent. Joining a football team, participating in gardening or spending time with a trusted male figure could help boys build positive relationships and receive guidance as they grew up. “Boys need positive male figures in their lives,” she said, explaining that while women did their best to support children, positive male involvement also played an important role in boys’ development. Harris said some men continued to feel inadequate despite being hardworking because they believed they were failing to meet the standards expected of them. She said providing children with a safe home where they could express themselves freely and receive encouragement was fundamental to helping them make healthier decisions in the future. Harris said therapy could help men address unresolved emotional struggles, but the process should not focus solely on the individual experiencing trauma or stress. Families also needed to examine their relationships, behaviour and home environments to support lasting change, she said. She said addressing harmful behaviour required a broader change in family systems rather than expecting individuals to overcome the effects of their experiences alone. Harris provides clinical supervision to counsellors, support workers and community workers, as well as employee assistance counselling for non-government organisations, businesses and community organisations. Her comments point to the importance of addressing emotional struggles and family circumstances while encouraging men to seek support and families to provide healthier environments for children. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

read more...
Rural women celebrated for strengthening communities, driving economies October 16, 2026
Rural women’s contributions to community wellbeing, economic development and local leadership were celebrated during a three-day International Rural Women’s Day event held at Eratap, Efate, under the theme, “Rural women rise up: Strong women, strong community.” The event was attended by Deputy Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu Emily Fisher, Assistant Secretary General (SG) of the SHEFA Provincial Government Council (SPGC) Liah Kaltoi, members of Silae Vanua Association and community members. Deputy High Commissioner Fisher applauded rural women’s contributions to keeping their communities healthy and strong. She reaffirmed the Australian Government’s continued support for projects across Vanuatu that empower women in rural communities. SPGC Assistant SG Kaltoi reaffirmed the provincial council’s commitment to working with the Government and its development partners to address challenges faced by rural women, particularly in accessing markets for their agricultural produce. She acknowledged that, despite women’s valuable contributions to the province and the country, no women are currently represented on the provincial council. Kaltoi expressed hope that women would unite to secure provincial-level representation and become a voice for other women. She encouraged women across the province to support one another, work collectively and take steps towards achieving representation on the provincial council. Department of Women’s Affairs (DWA) SHEFA Provincial Officer Lilgai Laliet acknowledged rural women’s contributions through producing and selling local food and other agricultural produce. She also recognised the support development partners provide to women-led organisations such as Silae Vanua, which works with rural women to strengthen their empowerment and economic participation. Laliet recognised the role men and boys play in supporting rural women, saying that empowering women requires a collective commitment from families, communities, government and development partners. She said rural women’s work deserved recognition and continued support, as their contributions extended beyond their households to strengthening communities and supporting national development. On behalf of the Ministry of Justice, Youth and Community Services, Laliet officially opened the three-day celebration. The event also featured information booths where women could learn about available services, support and opportunities. Participating organisations, including banks and the Vanuatu Women’s Centre, provided information on financial services and other forms of support to help women strengthen their economic participation and wellbeing.

read more...
Child sexual abuse: Vanuatu cannot afford to look away October 15, 2026
Child sexual abuse cases have revealed a disturbing pattern: children are being abused not by strangers, but by people they know and trust, including fathers, relatives, teachers and others in positions of responsibility. Vanuatu cannot undo the sexual abuse many children have suffered. But it can decide what happens when the next child comes forward. With the Child Protection Bill before Parliament this month, Members of Parliament (MPs) have an important opportunity to strengthen protections for children and ensure a stronger response to abuse. The Ministry of Justice, Youth and Community Services (MOJYCS) says recent cases demonstrate the need for a stronger national response, including protection and support for children beyond the criminal prosecution of offenders. A five-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by her father, who was sentenced to five years and six months in prison in August this year. That same month, a grandfather was sentenced to more than four years in prison for sexually abusing his granddaughter. In September, a former teacher was sentenced for sexual offences against two 15-year-old students. In March, a man was sentenced for raping a 12-year-old girl. The abuse resulted in her pregnancy. These are among the child sexual abuse cases reported in Vanuatu’s newspapers in 2026. The Ministry says they represent only part of the problem. The Vanuatu Women’s Centre’s national survey, released in March 2026, found that nearly one in three women (30 per cent) had experienced sexual abuse before the age of 15. The MOJYCS says many children never disclose what has happened to them, particularly when the perpetrator is someone they love, fear or depend on. “We cannot continue to treat these cases as isolated tragedies. Child sexual abuse is a serious and widespread problem that demands a stronger national response,” the Ministry says. A prison sentence is not a child protection plan The Ministry argues that reports of criminal convictions reveal much less about what happens to the children themselves after abuse is discovered. “The cases reported in the newspapers tell us something about how Vanuatu’s criminal justice system responds to child sexual abuse. But they tell us much less about what happens to the children themselves,” MOJYCS says. Referring to the five-year-old girl whose father was sentenced for sexually assaulting her, the Ministry says the court’s decision explains the consequences for the perpetrator but does not establish what protection was put in place when the abuse came to light, whether other children were at risk or what support was available to help her recover. These questions, the Ministry says, are just as important as the criminal prosecution. The MOJYCS describes a situation in which a girl tells her teacher that someone at home has been sexually abusing her. She is frightened to return home, her mother may be financially dependent on the perpetrator, and younger children in the household may also be at risk. “The police can investigate the crime. But who assesses whether she is safe to go home that afternoon? Who helps her family find a safe way forward? Who ensures she receives medical care, counselling and ongoing support? And who follows up to make sure she remains safe?” the Ministry asks. “These questions cannot wait months or years for a criminal trial to conclude.” Vanuatu already has laws criminalising rape, incest and other sexual offences. Police, prosecutors and courts play an essential role in investigating crimes and holding perpetrators accountable. However, the MOJYCS says criminal investigations and child protection responses serve different purposes. “A criminal investigation asks whether an offence was committed and who is responsible. A child protection response must ask a different, equally urgent question: is this child safe, and what needs to happen now to protect them?” the Ministry says. “Protecting a child must begin when abuse comes to light, not when a perpetrator is convicted.” The Ministry says this is why the proposed Child Protection Bill matters. The Bill seeks to establish a stronger legal framework for protecting children at risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation. It would establish clearer reporting responsibilities, strengthen the authority of child protection officers to assess and respond to abuse, and provide mechanisms for emergency protection, court orders and safe alternative care. The MOJYCS says these measures would establish clear responsibilities and provide the legal authority needed to intervene when a child is in danger. “A child who discloses sexual abuse needs more than a police investigation. That child needs to be safe tonight, tomorrow and in the months and years that follow,” the Ministry says. Parliament has an opportunity to act The MOJYCS recognises that families, chiefs, churches and communities all have important roles in protecting children. However, it says informal arrangements and goodwill are not always enough when abuse occurs within a family or community. Children need a system with clear legal responsibilities, trained professionals and the authority to intervene when their safety is at risk, the Ministry says. It also cautions that legislation alone will not end child sexual abuse. A strong Child Protection Bill must be backed by trained child protection officers, accessible services, effective referral pathways and sustained investment, including in rural and remote communities. Without these investments, the MOJYCS warns, the promise of stronger legal protection risks remaining just that — a promise. For children experiencing abuse, the Ministry says, the issues are not abstract questions about legislation or government responsibilities. They concern immediate safety, dignity, care and recovery. The MOJYCS says a child’s access to protection should not depend on where they live, whom they know or whether someone happens to be available to help when they disclose abuse. “To the MPs who will consider the Child Protection Bill this month: the children behind these headlines deserve more than our concern. They deserve action,” the Ministry says. “Vanuatu cannot undo the abuse these children have suffered. But it can decide what happens when the next child comes forward. “Pass a strong Child Protection Bill. Commit the resources needed to make it work. And ensure that when a read more…

read more...

October Newsletter 2025

Project Activities

Other News

Follow Sista

NEWS

Join Us

Archives

Sista i Shine

‘The Fork and The Laplap’ by Tracy Uvoi Namel

October Newsletter 2025

Project Activities

Other News

Related Posts

December Newsletter 2023

August Newsletter 2023

September Newsletter 2024

March Newsletter 2025

Follow Sista

NEWS

Join Us

Archives

‘The Fork and The Laplap’ by Tracy Uvoi Namel