Sista and CARE International in Vanuatu – A partnership for change

Aug 12, 2024 | PROJECTS, CARE in Vanuatu | 0

Sista and CARE International in Vanuatu have been working together since 2021, as long-term strategic allies in support of Gender Equality in Vanuatu. The funding for these activities comes from two separate projects under the CARE Gender Equality Program, both supported by the Australian Aid Program.

These projects are Gender Equality Together (GET) and Vois Blong Mi (VBM). The core activity funded by GET is the Young Women’s Leadership Program of which Sista facilitates two workshops – Feminism in Vanuatu and social media and Online Safety – and takes the lead in the intergenerational dialogue and internship component. In 2024, CARE’s GET team piloted the first ever Young Men’s Program during the same six-month period as the Young Women’s Leadership Program. Sista took lead in carrying out the intergenerational dialogue component for the young men and we look forward to strengthening this new project activity as we understand the importance of the role of male advocates in promoting gender equality in Vanuatu.

The core activity funded by Vois Blong Mi (VBM) is a series of workshops with young women and girls which aims to increase respect and safety in their homes and communities while empowering them to better exercise their rights and more equal and increasing opportunities. These workshops are held with a number of schools in TAFE province after which a discussion is held for the young women and girls to come together to highlight issues they are facing in their communities and present them back to their families and community leaders with suggestions on how to address these issues. This activity gives power back to the young women and girls as it prioritizes their voices and opinions. Sista’s role under this project is to amplify the issues identified by the young women and girls’ voices through advocacy materials.

We are excited to share what the teams have been able to create through this partnership in 2024!

Young Women’s Leadership program

During this period, Sista facilitated the Feminism and Social Media workshops and hosted the Mentorship panel for the Young Women’s Leadership Program (YWLP) cohort of 2024 in both Tanna and Port Vila. Sista also led the internship component.

This six-month program for women aged 18-30 focuses on developing leadership skills through workshops, internships, advocacy, and mentoring. Since 2017, 129 graduates have taken on leadership roles, advancing gender equality in Vanuatu, with more young women joining this year’s graduating cohort.

In April 2024, the Sista team conducted the Feminism and Social Media workshops in Tanna, where 10 YWLP participants from Lenakel engaged in discussions about feminism in their community context and cyber safety for women and girls. Despite challenges with complex concepts, the participants supported each other’s learning. In Port Vila, 22 young women also participated, demonstrating strong engagement and understanding.

2024 YWLP cohort in Port Vila

2024 YWLP cohort in Lenakel, Tanna

The Mentorship panels for both Tanna and Port Vila, held after the two workshops, focused on building confidence in young women. Mentors shared their personal journeys, addressing myths about female confidence. Kaloka Wilfred shared her experiences as a female investigator in Tanna and her work with the Vanuatu Women’s Center. In Port Vila, Vasemaca Justine Pikioune (Finance Manager at Titan FX Limited), Jeanine Shem (Program Manager at Isra Aid Vanuatu), and Virginia Reuben (Country Coordinator for the Children’s First Foundation) shared stories of their personal challenges and how they developed confidence in their respective fields.

2024 YWLP Mentorship session in Port Vila

2024 YWLP Mentorship session in Lenakel, Tanna

In May, 15 YWLP participants completed an 18-day internship. Ten interns were placed in nine organizations in Port Vila, and five were placed in four organizations in Tanna. Host organizations were identified through outreach, and interns were selected based on applications and interviews. The program included inductions, weekly check-ins, and stipends. While some interns faced challenges, they felt supported and gained valuable skills. The feedback from the young women highlighted the program’s success and a desire for a longer internship period.

The Sista team proudly joined CARE in celebrating the YWLP cohort of 2024 at their graduation in June, marking another successful year for the program.

YWLP Port Vila Graduation (Photo credit: Zoe Barnes)

Young Men’s Program: Intergenerational Dialogue

To support the Young Men’s Program pilot this year, Sista held an intergenerational dialogue on May 22, 2024, at Chantilly’s on the Bay in Port Vila. The discussion focused on the theme: “What Do Boys Need to Grow Up to Be Healthy and Non-Violent Men?”, and it included 12 participants from the Young Men’s Program.

Panelists Iaken Ampen, Superintendent in the Vanuatu Police Force, and Tevita Taravaki, founder of Marama Youth Foundation, addressed topics such as gender equality, healthy masculinity, the role of fatherhood, caregiving, understanding and preventing violence, and building a supportive community. The conversation aimed to raise awareness about gender equality, discuss strategies for violence prevention, and promote intergenerational dialogue. Emphasis was placed on the importance of positive male role models, the impact of societal norms on behavior, and the role of community and mentorship in supporting young men.

The participants listened attentively and a few shared their key learnings from the panel discussions:

“The importance of gender equality is that every human being has the same fundamental right and opportunity to make choices and changes in life. Young people today should also adapt their attitudes and character to align with these evolving lifestyle changes.”

“Fathers have the responsibility to teach skills and leadership to their children, while mothers teach behavior and empathy. Both roles are important.”

“Today I learned that men can also take on responsibilities at home. To avoid violence at home, men need to play a significant role. I now have more knowledge about leadership and gender equality.”

Sista looks forward to strengthening the Young Men’s Program in the coming year.

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Vois Blong Mi: Advocacy through short films

The Vois Blong Mi (VBM) project, running from July 2023 to June 2024, is a collaborative effort involving Sista, Wan Smol Bag, MATAKAMBU, and CARE in Vanuatu. This activity focused on creating three short films based on the critical issues identified by the young women and girls in TAFE Province. These issues were, teenage pregnancy, menstruation, and inequality of household chores. The goal of these short films is to raise awareness and promote dialogue within the community.

Activities for the project have included meetings, scriptwriting, actor selection, and filming at Freshwota Bilingual School, Tavana at Mele, and Black Sand. Despite challenges like logistical issues, actor availability, and weather conditions, the project has achieved significant milestones, including strong collaboration among partners involved and well-prepared actors.

The commitment and coordination of all involved have been key to advancing the project’s goals. Out of the three short films, one has been published on Sista and CARE in Vanuatu’s social media platforms, another is ready to be published in coming months, and the final film is in its final stages of development.

The Sista and CARE International in Vanuatu Partnership thus far into 2024 has been impactful and these efforts show a strong commitment to creating positive change and supporting the next generation of leaders.

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‘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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Sista and CARE International in Vanuatu – A partnership for change

Young Women’s Leadership program

Young Men’s Program: Intergenerational Dialogue

Vois Blong Mi: Advocacy through short films

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‘Am I Accepted?’ by Trilby Hunter

Sista and CARE International in Vanuatu – A partnership for change

Young Women’s Leadership program

Young Men’s Program: Intergenerational Dialogue

Vois Blong Mi: Advocacy through short films

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