Port Vila, Vanuatu 19 October 2026 - Government agencies, civil society organisations, and development partners have gathered in Port Vila for a three-day workshop to review Strategic Area 3 of the National Gender Equality Policy, focusing on advancing women's leadership and political participation in Vanuatu.
The workshop brings together representatives from the Department of Women's Affairs, Public Service Commission, Ministry of Youth, Justice and Community Services (MYJCS), and the Vanuatu Electoral Commission, alongside development partners and civil society organisations including Vanuatu Australia Policing and Justice Program (VAPJP), Vanuatu Association of NGOs (VANGO), Balance of Power, Vanuatu Society for People with Disability (VSPD), and other registered non-government organisations operating in the country.
The review of Strategic Area 3 aims to assess progress, identify ongoing challenges, and strengthen actions that promote women's equal participation in leadership and decision-making roles across government, politics, and public institutions.
Women's meaningful participation in leadership and decision-making remains essential for building stronger democratic institutions, fostering inclusive governance, and achieving sustainable development outcomes. Ensuring women have equal opportunities to contribute to national decision-making processes is a key priority under Vanuatu's National Gender Equality Policy.
During the workshop, United Nations Resident Coordinator for the Pacific, Dirk Wagener, joined participants and engaged with women leaders, advocates, policymakers, and aspiring changemakers. Discussions highlighted the importance of increasing women's representation in leadership positions and creating an enabling environment that supports women to actively participate in political and public life.
The workshop was organised by UN Women Pacific and the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, reinforcing their commitment to supporting gender equality and women's empowerment across the Pacific region. Participants are expected to develop recommendations that will strengthen the implementation of Strategic Area 3 and support future initiatives aimed at increasing women's participation in leadership and decision-making at all levels.
The United Nations and its partners remain committed to supporting Vanuatu's efforts to advance gender equality, strengthen democratic governance, and create pathways for women to contribute meaningfully to the nation's development and prosperity.
