Fay Volatabu, the executive director of femLinkPacific, has commended the growing representation of women in media leadership roles, particularly following significant decisions made at the 7th Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Summit in Niue.
Volatabu, a strong advocate for gender equality, highlighted the achievements made during the summit, especially with the newly formed PINA Board now including three women, an increase from two members in the previous board.
At the summit’s conclusion, 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 referred to the new gender quota as a pivotal moment for women in journalism, expressing gratitude towards male journalists for their support and understanding.
This notable advancement occurred on the last day of the summit, which also featured a two-day pre-summit discussion that brought together female media practitioners primarily from the Melanesian region to share their challenges and propose solutions, culminating in a communique highlighted during the summit’s main sessions.
Volatabu emphasized the significance of this milestone in anticipation of next year’s 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. “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 added.
The Women in Media training held concurrently with the PINA Summit welcomed female journalists from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Women in Media Australia. Over two days, participants discussed gender roles, policies impacting women journalists, and issues like Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).
The training resulted in a communique with recommendations to enhance working conditions and leadership prospects for women in media, which included policy reforms, leadership quotas, psychosocial support, and increased collaboration with governments and development partners.
Key recommendations encompassed:
– Reviewing policies and laws to develop safety protocols for women journalists in disaster and conflict zones.
– Implementing a 50/50 gender quota in the PINA Executive Board and establishing a Women in Media Forum before each summit.
– Providing psychosocial support and creating a Trans-Pacific peer support network with media organizations in New Zealand and Australia.
– Ensuring women journalists participate in government delegations and incorporating media literacy into school programs.
– Proposing stronger collaboration with development partners for funding and establishing a gender desk for media publications.
The summit also featured a panel discussion focused on “Women in Media,” which spotlighted the importance of gender equality in media leadership. Participants included notable figures from Women in Media, reflecting on progress made in increasing women’s roles in media and reinforcing the commitment to further initiatives for gender equality.
Looking to the future, Volatabu expressed hope for continued progress for women in media, indicating her plans to extend her efforts in Vanuatu and emphasizing the need for ongoing support from donors and regional governments. The implementation of the quota, along with ongoing discussions about gender inclusion in media, underscores the Pacific region’s dedication to promoting gender equality in journalism, positioning women journalists to take on greater roles in shaping the media landscape.