Port Vila, 22 September 2026: Thirty-eight public servants have graduated from the Women in Leadership Program (WiLP), with graduation ceremonies held in TAFEA and SANMA to mark the successful completion of the program.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU) and the Ministry of Youth, Justice and Community Services (MYJCS), supported through the Vanuatu-Australia Partnership, held two provincial graduation ceremonies this September, recognising 18 graduates in TAFEA and 20 in SANMA Province. The cohorts include eight men who are championing inclusive leadership in their respective workplaces.
The WiLP was co-designed through collaboration between the Vanuatu-Australia Partnership, the University of the South Pacific (USP) and the Vanuatu Institute of Public Administration and Management (VIPAM), bringing together academic learning, development experience and the realities of working in Vanuatu's public service.
Participants developed practical skills in communication, coaching and mentoring, team leadership, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, strategic thinking, decision-making and inclusive leadership. The accredited USP Certificate of Professional Development in Public Service Leadership combines face-to-face study with workplace practice, enabling participants to apply their learning directly in their public service roles.
This year's cohort demonstrates the growing reach of the program, bringing together participants from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Biosecurity; Ministry of Finance and Economic Management; Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources; MIPU; MYJCS; TAFEA Provincial Government; and the Vanuatu Australia Infrastructure for Development Program (VAI4D).
While participants have different roles and responsibilities, many face similar challenges, including managing teams, communicating across departments, making sound decisions, solving problems and ensuring government services reach communities throughout the provinces.
Speaking at the TAFEA graduation ceremony, Acting Divisional Manager of the Public Works Department in Tafea, Mr Komie Roger, said developing capable and confident leaders was closely connected to improving the quality of public services.
"Behind every project, every service and every decision are people. The quality of our public service depends on the capability, confidence and commitment of those entrusted to serve our communities," Mr Roger said.
"At MIPU, our work is highly technical, but its purpose is simple: improving the lives of the people we serve. To deliver that responsibility, we need people who can work effectively with others, make sound decisions, adapt to change and lead with integrity."
The WiLP recognises that leadership is not limited to senior positions. It can be demonstrated at every level of the public service through taking initiative, supporting and mentoring colleagues, finding solutions and contributing positively to the workplace.
A central focus of the program is strengthening women's participation in leadership and decision-making across the public service, while recognising that creating inclusive workplaces is a shared responsibility.
Australian High Commission Deputy Head of Mission H.E. Emily Fisher said leadership in the public service was ultimately about serving people effectively.
"Leadership is seen in the decisions we make, how we work with colleagues, how we handle challenges, and how we respond to people who rely on government services," she said.
"Women should be able to participate fully in leadership and decision-making across the public service. That responsibility does not sit with women alone. Men, supervisors, institutions and families all have a part to play in creating workplaces where people can contribute and progress."
The program continues to strengthen its provincial and institutional reach, bringing public servants from different ministries, agencies and provinces together to learn from one another and build professional networks across government.
In Tanna, participants came from TAFEA and SHEFA provinces, including officers working across public works, agriculture, human rights, correctional services, water, finance and provincial government.
The SANMA graduating cohort includes MIPU and MYJCS officers from MALAMPA, PENAMA, SANMA, SHEFA and TORBA provinces, strengthening connections between public servants working across different areas of government and different parts of the country.
The real impact of WiLP will be demonstrated in the graduates' everyday work through stronger communication, more effective leadership, improved workplace processes, mentoring colleagues, resolving challenges and making better-informed decisions.
By providing practical leadership tools and opportunities to apply them in the workplace, WiLP aims to strengthen individual leadership capability while building stronger teams and more effective public institutions.
Australia's support for the program forms part of the Vanuatu-Australia Partnership, with the initiative drawing on Vanuatu's institutions, public service priorities and experience.
The program brings together the Public Service Commission through VIPAM, USP, MIPU, MYJCS, Pacific Australia Skills, Balance of Power, VAI4D and the Vanuatu Australia Justice and Policing Program, alongside participating ministries, agencies, facilitators, supervisors and mentors.
Through this collaboration, WiLP is supporting public servants to strengthen leadership, promote more inclusive workplaces, improve teamwork and strengthen coordination across government.
The leadership capacity developed through this program will contribute to stronger workplaces, stronger institutions and ultimately a stronger Vanuatu.