Paama Island, Malampa Province – The Ministry of Justice, Youth and Community Services, through the Department of Women's Affairs (DWA), has successfully delivered a week-long Food Safety and Cookery Training on Paama Island, providing practical skills to 112 participants from communities across the island.
The training formed part of the Department of Women's Affairs Malampa Provincial Office's 2026 Annual Work Plan and reflects the Ministry's commitment to taking government services closer to rural communities, ensuring people living on the outer islands have access to practical learning opportunities that improve livelihoods and community wellbeing.
Participants came from the communities of Tahi, Tavulai, Lironesa, Liro, Voravor, Vaum, Vauleli, Lulep, Tavie, Lehili, Asuas, Vutekai, and Seneali. Among the participants were six men, including one man living with a disability, and two women living with disabilities, demonstrating the Ministry's commitment to inclusive community participation.
Due to the high level of interest, the 112 participants were divided into two training groups to ensure everyone had the opportunity to actively participate in both the Food Safety and Cookery sessions. The smaller groups allowed participants to engage directly with the trainers, ask questions, and gain practical hands-on experience throughout the week.
For many participants, this was the first time they had attended training of this kind in their own community. The programme attracted women and girls who prepare and sell food at local markets, as well as kava bar owners, all eager to improve their food preparation skills and learn safe food handling practices that will benefit both their families and their businesses.
The activity contributes to Strategic Area 2 – Economic Empowerment of Women and Girls under the Government of Vanuatu's National Gender Equality Policy (NGEP). Specifically, it supports Objective 2.2, which seeks to support the upskilling of women and create employment opportunities for young women to increase workforce diversity.
Throughout the training, participants developed practical skills in food hygiene, safe food handling, nutrition, meal preparation, and cooking techniques. These new skills will enable them to prepare healthier meals for their families, provide safer food for customers and visitors, and strengthen small businesses through improved food quality and increased income-generating opportunities.
The training also demonstrated the value of coordinated service delivery. The Department of Women's Affairs Malampa Provincial Officer, Rachael Ores, travelled to Paama Island with officers from across the Ministry of Justice, Youth and Community Services and partner organisations, allowing participants to benefit from a range of government services during a single visit.
During breaks between the practical sessions, officers delivered awareness sessions on child protection, disability inclusion, youth development, and community wellbeing. Representatives from the Child Protection Desk, Disability Desk, Youth Services, Malampa Public Health, and the Vanuatu Skills Partnership all contributed to the programme.
The Food Safety Training was facilitated by Mr. Xavier Watt from the Malampa Public Health Clinic, while the Cookery Training was led by Chef Chris Bulemenmen, a qualified chef working in partnership with the Vanuatu Skills Partnership.
Although the training had been scheduled as part of the Department's 2026 annual work plan, it was delivered shortly after the visit to Paama Island by the Minister responsible for Justice, Youth and Community Services, Hon. Job Andy, last month. The successful implementation of the programme reflects the Ministry's ongoing commitment to ensuring government programmes reach communities throughout Vanuatu, particularly those living in remote and outer island areas.
The Ministry of Justice, Youth and Community Services, through the Department of Women's Affairs and its provincial partners, remains committed to empowering women, young people, and communities by delivering practical skills, promoting inclusive participation, and creating opportunities that contribute to healthier families, stronger local economies, and sustainable community development.
