Women’s leadership in the Pacific region is set to gain prominence in the fight against climate change and for sustainable development through a newly launched initiative funded by the Government of Canada. The Women POWER (Pacific Oceanic Women Enhancing Resilience) Project, unveiled this week, marks a pivotal advancement in gender-transformative climate adaptation efforts across Fiji, Kiribati, and Vanuatu.
With a budget of CAD 5 million allocated over five years, the project is backed by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Oxfam Canada in collaboration with Oxfam in the Pacific. Women POWER seeks to bolster women-led responses to the climate crisis, broaden leadership opportunities, and amplify the voices of women and girls across the region.
Eunice Wotene, Oxfam’s Executive Director in the Pacific, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “This project builds on our longstanding work to address gender injustice, empower women, and combat gender inequality and violence. By collaborating with partners like Women in Fisheries and various climate action networks in Kiribati and Vanuatu, we are uniting women to drive change within their communities.”
Wotene underscored that the Women POWER initiative complements existing efforts and is vital not only for Oxfam and its partners but also for numerous Pacific communities poised to benefit from strengthened resilience and advocacy for climate justice. She noted ongoing endeavors to secure additional funding from Canada and other international donors to further empower women and girls.
Attending the launch, Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development, Randeep Sarai, reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to gender equality and climate action within the Pacific. Sarai pointed out that women in Pacific communities are at the forefront of the climate crisis while also playing integral roles in sustaining households and leading nature-based solutions.
“When women and girls have the tools to lead, earn a living, and advocate for their rights, entire communities become more resilient,” he stated, describing the Women POWER project as an innovative investment for inclusive and sustainable development.
Sarai emphasized Canada’s dedication to its enduring partnerships in the region and the shared commitment to equality, resilience, and inclusive growth. As the Pacific faces escalating climate-related challenges, the Women POWER initiative aims to empower a new generation of women leaders, ensuring that their voices significantly shape the future of their communities and the broader region. This initiative represents a hopeful step toward fostering stronger and more resilient communities through women’s leadership in resilient climate actions.
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