September Newsletter 2025

Nov 3, 2025 | Newsletters | 0

September was a month full of celebration, reflection, and collaboration for the Sista team.

From hosting the Wota i Toktok Exhibition to celebrating the achievements of the Young Women’s Leadership Program graduates, the month reminded us just how powerful community and connection can be. We also reflected on our long-term partnerships — wrapping up our collaboration with CARE, welcoming new connections with IWDA, VFHA, and Urgent Action Fund, and contributing to regional spaces like the Pacific Women Lead reflection in Fiji.

At home, we continued strengthening our foundation through board meetings, creative storytelling, and team growth — all while celebrating inspiring women like Abelia Sope, our #SistaGatStyle feature for September.

As we move into the final months of the year, we’re holding onto gratitude — for our partners, supporters, and every woman and girl who continues to remind us why we do this work. Together, we’re building something that lasts: a stronger, more equal Vanuatu for all.

Project Activities

Abelia Sope – Sista Gat Style, Vanuatu Daily Post

This September, we celebrate the confident Young Women’s Leadership Program Alumni, Abelia Sope!

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”
This is the quote that Abelia lives by — a mantra that reflects her resilience, passion, and approach to life.

A passionate wife, mother, and advocate for youth, Abelia dedicates her time to helping young people dream bigger, set goals, and build confidence. Her commitment to guiding others reflects her belief in the power of encouragement and opportunity.

Originally from Pango Village, Efate, Abelia balances her family life with her love for learning and growing. She enjoys attending trainings and workshops, baking cakes, and preparing traditional dishes, all while inspiring those around her.

Her personal style is confident, practical, and a little adventurous — just like her approach to life. “Confidence is the best outfit — when you wear it with self-belief, you’ll always look good,” she says.

#SistaGatStyle #WomanPango #WomanEfate #Confident #Mother #Wife #YouthAdvocate #Beautiful #YoungWomanLeader #YWLPAlumni

CARE and Sista Partnership reflection meeting

Sista and CARE have been partners in implementing the Young Women’s Leadership Program since 2020. This partnership is ending with much reflection on the achievements of the program, its challenges and its future. CARE and Sista met on the 9th and 10th of September to get a shared understanding of the CARE–SISTA partnership moving forward, share lessons from the program implementation over the years, discussed what’s possible and ensured both partners were clear on each other priorities.

Thank you tumas to team CARE for taking Sista along on this growing journey, this partnership has been invaluable to our growth, and we look forward to continuing to wage forward for a Gender equal Vanuatu and Nation Building with you.

Meeting with IWDA Communications Manager and Feminism in Vanuatu Presentation

On Thursday 11 September, Sista met the IWDA Communications Manager, Elle Leontiev who popped into office to learn about the team and our work and used her time in Port Vila to collect some content on Sista’s work in Vanuatu.

The Sista team met Elle and discussed her visit to Vanuatu, her work at IWDA and how we could work with her to collect content.

As part of her visit, Elle joined the whole Sista team for an online Presentation from our friend Annie Douglas, who is a PhD candidate researching how young women articulate and advance gender equality in Vanuatu. Sista was a part of the consultations Annie carried out.

Annie presented the findings of her research in full back to the Sista team.

Sista Meets with the Urgent Action Fund

On September 19, Sista’s Executive Director and the Sista Program Manager met with the visiting Urgent Action Fund Team; the Rapid Response Grant (RRG) Co-Facilitator, the Executive Support Facilitator and the Resource Mobilization Facilitator.

The meeting was an outreach for the UAF team providing an opportunity for the Sista team to share the achievements and challenges of the Activities funded by UAF in response to the Earthquake earlier this year. The two teams also discussed the possibility of working together to create another useful resource for disaster preparedness.

Pacific Women Lead, Annual reflection – We Rise Coalition

The Sista Program Manager joined the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement’s Program Manager to represent the We Rise Coalition at the Pacific Women Lead Annual Reflection and Analysis Workshop.

Working with both National and regional partners, she engaged in measuring and validating the achievements of each sub region of the Pacific in areas such as Women’s economic empowerment, health and safety.

A part of this workshop also included a day of learning sessions on working with Adolescent girls, a SOGIESEC Guidance note, Disability inclusion Guidance note and a Climate change Guidance note. These sessions offered all partners with practical tools when faces with these specific subjects as well as an opportunity to learn more about each other’s work.

FWRM and Sista Program Manager also met with DFAT Assistant Director of the Gender and Pacific Culture section, Jade Cooper as well as DFAT focal points for WRC partner countries. The meeting covered updates on WRC work and exciting upcoming activities we are doing together and looked at how DFAT posts can engage more strategically with each WRC partner in their own countries.

Sista meets with VFHA

Sista met with the Planem Gud Famili Blong Yumi project with Vanuatu Family Health Association (VFHA) and Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa team representatives on 12 September to share the work that Sista does around Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights. Both teams used the opportunity to learn more about the other work and looked at possibilities to collaborate or platform each other’s work as well as map key stakeholders who could be vital in the work that VFHA is doing in Vanuatu.

Steering Committee Meeting – We Rise Coalition

The WRC Steering Committee met on 10 September to provide updates on the work each partner is doing and discuss some of its current priorities. Alot of these centres around upcoming joint activities such as the WRC retreat, Women Deliver, National Feminist Forum, Pacific Feminist forum and collective input into vital We Rise documents from all partners.

End of Internship for YWLP Port Vila Cohort 2025 – CARE in Vanuatu

On Friday, 5th September, the Young Women’s Leadership Program (YWLP) came to an end for the Port Vila cohort. There were five interns in total. The internship period ran for 20 days, from 28th July to 5th September, with different starting and finishing dates for each intern, but every participant was entitled to 20 working days.

Ashlia Nalin Tom Kapapa and Victoire were placed with CARE International.

Carol Peter joined the Vanuatu Australia Policing and Justice Program.

Eloise Kaloran interned with the Vanuatu Association of Non-Governmental Organisations.

Yasmina Kalterikia was placed at World Vision Vanuatu.

Each intern gained valuable experiences in their respective workplaces. Their highlights included learning new things beyond what they had been taught at school, practicing leadership skills, and stepping out of their comfort zones. They explored different areas such as hands-on logistics, finance, and communications, while also becoming more creative in their work. One of the interns shared that the internship gave her practical exposure to logistics and operations and allowed her to apply classroom knowledge in a real-life working environment.

Despite challenges along the way, the interns celebrated their growth and achievements, marking the internship as a meaningful conclusion to their journey in the Young Women’s Leadership Program.

YWLP 2025 cohort Closed Forum – CARE in Vanuatu

On the 17th of September Sista Project Coordinator and Officer attended the Young Women’s Leadership Program closed forums. During the time it was sort of a reflection activity that were carried out for the participants to do. Activities in forms of world cafe and more under every workshop component that they covered. This reflection shows the strength and weaknesses of each and from that how to make it better in the future.

The day ended with a lunch break where participants have conversation and rehearsal for their graduation.

Yumi Wan Nomo: Young Women Leadership Program (YWLP) Graduation 2025 – CARE in Vanuatu

The Yumi Wan Nomo – Young Women Leadership Program (YWLP) Graduation 2025 was a vibrant and inspiring celebration hosted by CARE in Vanuatu and Sista, with the generous support of the Australian and New Zealand Governments. The ceremony was attended by donor representatives, partner organizations, families, friends, and the graduating cohort.

The event opened with a warm welcome from the MCs, followed by an opening prayer and remarks from CARE’s Interim Country Director, Ms. Glenise Lavendal. The program overview highlighted the journey of the 2025 cohort, which built on the foundation of YWLP’s earlier phases since 2017. This cohort experienced a variety of sessions including leadership training, gender equality and feminism, financial management, public speaking, project proposal writing, social media advocacy, family storian sessions, and an internship program with local NGOs and government offices.

Keynote addresses were delivered by Mrs. Holly Peacock, 2nd Secretary to the New Zealand High Commission, and Her Excellency Ms. Emily Fisher, Deputy Australian High Commissioner. Both speakers shared encouraging messages about the importance of women’s leadership and empowerment in Vanuatu.

Graduands then shared their personal journeys through different parts of the program:

Weilyn Joe spoke about her growth in confidence and leadership.

Lillian Willie reflected on the family storian sessions and the support from families.

Eloise Kaloran shared highlights from the workshop sessions.

Ashleah Kapapa spoke about her internship experience, challenges, and newfound confidence.

Victoire Mokis shared insights from the intergenerational dialogue with inspiring women leaders.

Their testimonies reflected transformation, resilience, and the ripple effect of positive change in their families and communities.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of certificates to the graduands. Certificates were handed over by Her Excellency Ms. Emily Fisher, Mrs. Holly Peacock, Ms. Yasmine Bjornum (Executive Director of Sista), and Ms. Glenise Lavendal (CARE Interim Country Director), with each honored by salusalu presentations.

Closing remarks and a prayer were given by Ms. Jane William, GET Project Manager at CARE. This was followed by a joyful cake-cutting ceremony, graduates’ performances, and entertainment, ending the day on a celebratory note with afternoon tea shared among all guests.

The graduation not only marked the achievements of the 2025 cohort but also honored the collective support of families, donors, partners, and communities. It was a moment of pride and empowerment, affirming the program’s vision to nurture the next generation of women leaders in Vanuatu.

Content creation with IWDA

Sista had the pleasure of working with IWDA’s Communications Manager, Elle, to capture content for the organisation’s upcoming social media campaign. The content creation included capturing short interviews with some of the women Sista has worked with and of course, the Sista team. We ended the content creation week with a fun photoshoot of the Sista team. THANK YOU Elle! Keep an on IWDA’s page for this exciting content.

The Round Table Podcast – PACMAS

In the first week of September, we held our initial planning meeting for the Round Table Podcast (RTP) with the full RTP team, where tasks were discussed and allocated among the team to prepare for the production of Episode 1.

We are super excited for this podcast and can’t wait to publish the first official episode in coming weeks – Watch this space!

Wota i Toktok Exhibition Launch – University of Technology Sydney, Water for Women Fund

On Saturday 27 September, Sista’s Communications & Advocacy Coordinator proudly launched the Wota i Toktok Exhibition in partnership with the University of Technology Sydney and the Water for Women Fund. This vibrant showcase brought together 16 incredible artists whose works explore the deep connection between water, culture, and storytelling. The launch was filled with community spirit as families, friends, and art lovers gathered to celebrate the creativity and vision of these artists. Each piece shares a unique perspective on water and cultural storytelling, offering fresh ways of seeing the role water plays in our daily lives and communities.

Bigfala tankiu tumas to everyone who joined us and made the launch unforgettable! Your continous support keeps creativity and community alive in Vanuatu. A special shout-out to Melita Grant from University of Technology Sydney and Carole Reocreux for her expertise and invaluable support in bringing this exhibition to life. And of course, our deepest appreciation goes to the amazing artists whose works made this possible: Amelia Lalim Lovo; William Bule; Silas; Carole Reocreux; Maria Pietri; David Ambong; Gaga & Ben from Groovy Banana; Rosanah Taleo; Melissa Blumberg-Booth; Elaine Moli; Busi Neill; Talula-Fay Taribakeo; Stephanie Hamel; Nastasia Shing and Jane Millington.

The exhibition is open for the next four weeks at Fondation Suzanne Bastien, offering visitors the chance to experience these powerful works in person and engage with the unique stories they tell.

Communications Focal Points Meeting – We Rise Coalition

On the 1st of October, We Rise Coalition’s (WRC) Communications Officer held an online meeting with the Comms focal points from the partner organisations. This meeting was an opportunity for other focal points to meet International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA) communications officers Elle, and Minyue. It was also the first time we had Sara from IWDA joining us as well. The attendees were updated on the status of changes made to the WRC website. Discussion also cantered around the WRC google drive, which now access has been given to Sara as well, and will be used by all WRC partners. Two new projects were also raised during the meeting; coms focal points profile and program managers’ profile. So, these two projects are currently being developed and should be done by the end of this year or early next year.

Other News:

Sista Board meeting

An important meeting was held on Friday 26 September, to finalize board positions and to approve the Strategic Plan. It was also an opportunity to address multiple challenges Sista has been having, and the Executive Director is grateful for having a strong, committed and solid board to help guide Sista forward.

Meeting with Joyce

On Friday, 5th September, Sista’s Executive and Project Coordinator met with Joyce from the University of New South Wales. This meeting was part of the follow-up to the Solar Product Repair and Maintenance workshop that Sista attended last year. The purpose was to learn about the work Joyce and her team have been doing to support women’s participation in solar product repair and maintenance workshops. The meeting went well, and Joyce also received some advice from Sista on how to expand the project’s network, as she has been facing some challenges with the network currently in place in Tanna.

Bid farewell to a Sista team member

This month, we bid farewell to Lilly, our Logistics and Procurement Officer, who has been part of the Sista team for the past 17 months.
We thank her for her hard work, dedication, and the positivity she has brought to the team.

We wish you all the best in your next chapter, Lilly!

Financial Report Complete – CARE in Vanuatu

This month marks the completion of our CARE financial report, bringing our partnership with CARE to a close.

We would like to express our gratitude to CARE for the support and collaboration over the years. Through this partnership, the Sista team has grown stronger, gained new skills, and created meaningful impact in our community — from running workshops to building our capacity as an organisation.

CARE has played an important role in Sista’s journey, and we will always value the lessons and opportunities that came from this partnership.

Thank you, CARE, for believing in our mission.

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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…

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September Newsletter 2025

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