It's fantastic to learn about the workshops currently underway for 36 women field workers at the Vanuatu Cultural Center in Port Vila. These two-week workshops were an annual affair that was discontinued in 2016 due to financial constraints.

However, thanks to the New Zealand government's financial commitment this year, the network can continue its invaluable work.

The women and men field workers network in Vanuatu has been in operation since its establishment in 1994 and ever since has been funded by the Australian government.

This year marks the 20th edition of the VKS women field workers, and it's excellent to see that this network is evolving with time.

This year's theme, "Traditional Leadership Role," reflects the forward-looking nature of the network.

Evelyn Bulegih, the coordinator of the women's culture and field workers program, has explained the importance of establishing a women's field workers network in Vanuatu.

It is necessary to address certain customs and cultures in Vanuatu that only women are allowed to discuss and perform.

This network is a crucial step towards preserving Vanuatu's unique culture, and it's fantastic to see that both women and men are invited each year to present their research on a particular topic.

The workshops aim to preserve Vanuatu's custom stories, songs, and custom plays, which are in danger of being lost as life changes rapidly.

Ms. Bulegih mentioned that every workshop is recorded and put in the archives, which is an excellent initiative to ensure that this knowledge is passed down to future generations.

Dr. Nissan Bolton, the facilitator of the two workshops, spent many years in Vanuatu to complete her PhD studies. It's inspiring to see her happy to be back in Vanuatu to revive the network and work closely with the field workers.

The women's workshop began last week and will end on Friday this week, while the men's field workers started on Monday of this week. The participants will choose a topic at the end of the workshop to research in their communities, and when they return next year, they'll present their findings and share their experiences with the rest of the network.

Overall, it's wonderful to see the commitment and dedication of these field workers. We hope that more funding can be secured in the future to continue this invaluable work.