Women’s rights advocate calls for end to exploitation

Apr 14, 2026 | Feminism and Women’s Rights | 0

A leading women’s rights advocate is calling for urgent collective action to strengthen the role of women and end exploitation across the country.

Jenny Ligo Viregagaru, human rights defender and chairwoman of Women Against Crime and Corruption (WACC) Vanuatu Advocator, has called on all ni-Vanuatu to stand united in building a society where women are respected, valued and supported to reach their full potential.

“In line with our national motto, ‘In God we stand’, we must work together to build a brighter future for women, families and communities,” she said.

Her message comes as concern grows over the challenges faced by vulnerable groups, including young girls, single mothers and widows, many of whom face difficult situations linked to financial hardship, limited opportunities and social pressure.

Viregagaru said these challenges are often driven by systemic inequalities that continue to marginalise women. She called for a shift in mindset that recognises the strength and resilience of women and prioritises their empowerment over exploitation.

At the centre of this effort is the Empowerment Initiative, a coalition of professionals and organisations working to support women through practical programmes such as vocational training, mentorship and community support networks. The initiative aims to equip women with the tools and confidence needed to rebuild their lives and achieve independence.

“Nation building starts from home,” Viregagaru said. “By promoting healthy family relationships and leadership, a ripple effect can strengthen communities across the country.”

She said exploitation takes many forms, including human trafficking and emotional manipulation, often occurring in silence and behind closed doors. This makes it difficult for victims to seek help, increasing the need for accessible support systems.

Despite these challenges, the Empowerment Initiative has already seen positive outcomes. Women who once faced exploitation are now rebuilding their lives, pursuing careers, supporting their families and contributing to their communities.

“These success stories show what is possible when women are given the support and opportunities they deserve,” she said.

Viregagaru said empowering women benefits not only individuals but entire communities, contributing to a safer and more peaceful society.

She is calling on citizens to support local organisations, advocate for women’s rights and contribute time, skills or resources to those in need.

“Together, a future can be built where every woman lives free from fear and oppression,” she said.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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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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Women’s rights advocate calls for end to exploitation

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