Vanuatu women strengthen disaster response leadership

Apr 14, 2025 | Initiatives and Projects | 0

In the wake of the December 17 earthquake that hit Port Vila last year, a new initiative is empowering women across Vanuatu to take charge of disaster preparedness and protection in their communities.

More than 50 women from Efate, Erromango, Malo, Malekula, and Tanna are currently taking part in a five-day Women-Led Preparedness and Community-Based Protection Super Training of Trainers (Super TOT), organised by ActionAid Vanuatu and its grassroots women’s networks Woman I Toktok Tugeta (WITTT) and WITTT Sunshine. The training, held at Warwick Resort, focuses on community-based solutions, protection mapping, and disability inclusion.

“This training is about more than just preparedness—it’s about giving women, especially those with disabilities, the tools to speak out, protect their communities, and lead,” said Flora Vano, Country Manager of ActionAid Vanuatu. “WITTT was created in 2015 to support women who have been neglected—those who didn’t go to school, single mothers, and widows. We aim to ensure everyone has equal rights, particularly in times of disaster.”

The initiative is funded by the Australian and New Zealand (NZ) governments through partners including ChildFund NZ, the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP), and the Shifting the Power Coalition. It also receives support from the Pacific Women Lead programme and the Pacific Community (SPC).

What sets this “Super TOT” apart is its expanded focus. It builds on previous training sessions, aiming to create a ripple effect by enabling participants to return home and train other women in preparedness and protection.

The workshop takes an interactive approach based on real-life emergency experiences, creating safe spaces for women to share their personal challenges. Participants learn to identify protection risks, such as gender-based violence, and use tools like community mapping to locate local protection actors and solutions.

“This week, women with disabilities learned how to speak up about the challenges they face, challenges that are often hidden or ignored,” said Vano. “We taught them how to map their communities and recognise where they can seek help during emergencies.”

Janet Iatiknu, a participant and community mobilizer from Tanna, said the training changed her view of leadership in disaster response.

“We used to think these issues were only for the chiefs to solve,” she said. “But now we know we mamas have the tools to take action.

“The Women-Led Community-Based Protection tool guides us step-by-step to solve problems ourselves.”

The training also gained strong support from the Australian government.

“You impress the community leaders—you are role models who make a big difference,” said Emily Fisher, Deputy High Commissioner of Australia to Vanuatu, in her remarks to the participants. “Australia has long supported this work, and we thank you for your commitment.”

The training will conclude with a consolidated report identifying urgent protection issues, which will inform future response strategies and funding proposals. Most importantly, it nurtures resilience and leadership across the islands, led by the women who know their communities best.

“We are training the trainers,” said Vano. “So that no woman is left behind when disaster strikes.”

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Vanuatu women strengthen disaster response leadership

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