Fay Volatabu, the executive director of femLinkPacific, has commended the increased representation of women in media leadership after significant decisions made at the 7th Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Summit held in Niue last week.
Volatabu, a strong proponent of gender equality, celebrated the advancements, particularly the acknowledgment of the essential contributions women journalists make in the media industry. This progress was marked by the formation of a new seven-member PINA Board that includes three women, an increase from two members in the previous board.
In her remarks at the end of the summit, Volatabu stated, “It’s been a massive win for women, and I’m excited to be here in Niue at the seventh PINA Summit, to be part of the group that is going to pave the way for women journalists in the future.” She characterized the implementation of the gender quota as a historic milestone for women in journalism and expressed gratitude to male journalists for their support and understanding of the importance of diversity within the team.
This pivotal change was announced on the last day of the summit, following a two-day pre-summit discussion that brought together women media professionals primarily from the Melanesian region to address their challenges and propose solutions. These discussions culminated in a communique that was highlighted during a comprehensive panel session.
Volatabu emphasized the significance of this achievement as the media community prepares for the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action next year. “Next year, being Beijing plus 30, when the media fraternity of the region attends CEDAW, they can say they have achieved one of the milestones by having a 50% quota in the Executive Board,” she noted.
The Women in Media training held concurrently with the PINA Summit involved female journalists from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Women in Media Australia. Over two days, participants tackled discussions on gender roles, policies impacting women journalists, and issues surrounding Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).
The training led to a communique with essential recommendations aimed at enhancing the working environment and leadership opportunities for women in media. These included calls for policy reforms, leadership quotas, psychosocial support, and stronger collaboration with governments and development partners.
Key recommendations from the communique included:
– Reviewing Policies and Laws: Establishing a dedicated focal point within PINA to assess policies and create safety protocols for women journalists, especially in disaster and conflict zones.
– PINA Leadership Structure: Ensuring a 50/50 gender quota in the PINA Executive Board achieved at the summit, and organizing a Women in Media Forum before each PINA Summit.
– Sustainability and Support: Advocating for psychosocial support for women journalists and the establishment of a Trans-Pacific peer support network with media organizations in New Zealand and Australia.
– Government Engagement: Recommending that women journalists be included in government delegations to provide a gender viewpoint on reporting and to promote media literacy in school education.
– Development Partners: Proposing enhanced collaboration with development partners, including funding to support women in media and establishing a gender desk within media publications.
Additionally, a panel discussion titled “Women in Media” brought further focus to the need for gender equality in media leadership. The session featured key figures such as Rosi Doviverata, founding leader of Women in Media Fiji, as well as contributors from Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea who highlighted progress in elevating women’s roles in media while reiterating their commitment to further gender parity initiatives.
Looking ahead, Volatabu expressed her optimism for the ongoing progress of women in media. “I will fly out to Vanuatu [this] week to extend [and] continue with the work, and we hope that the funders will continue to support the work that the women in media will be doing in the region,” she commented, emphasizing the need for ongoing support from donors and regional governments.
The communique, the implementation of the gender quota, and discussions around enhancing gender inclusion in media all reflect the Pacific region’s dedication to advancing gender equality in journalism. With these developments, women journalists are poised to assume a more influential role in shaping the future of media across the region.