Fay Volatabu, the executive director of femLinkPacific, has lauded the growing representation of women in media leadership roles following pivotal decisions made during the 7th Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Summit held in Niue last week. As a strong advocate for gender equality, Volatabu celebrated the achievements, particularly highlighting the vital contributions of women journalists in the media sector. This was exemplified by the formation of a new seven-member PINA Board, which includes three women, an increase from two in the previous board.
At the summit’s conclusion, Volatabu expressed her excitement, stating, “It’s been a massive win for women, and I’m thrilled to be in Niue at the seventh PINA Summit, as part of the group that is paving the way for the future of women journalists.” She referred to the quota established for women’s representation as a groundbreaking moment, thanking male journalists for their understanding and support.
This important change occurred on the final day of the summit, which also featured a two-day pre-summit discussion that convened women media practitioners primarily from the Melanesian bloc to address their challenges and propose actionable solutions, which were later discussed during a panel session.
Volatabu emphasized the significance of these advancements 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, the media fraternity in the region will be able to claim a milestone by achieving a 50% quota on the Executive Board,” she stated.
The summit also included a Women in Media training event, which attracted female journalists from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Women in Media Australia. Over two days, the participants discussed gender roles, policies affecting women journalists, and issues like Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV). This training resulted in a communique with various recommendations aimed at improving working conditions and leadership opportunities for women in media.
Key recommendations included establishing a focal point within PINA to review safety protocols for women journalists, implementing the 50/50 gender quota on the PINA Executive Board, creating a Women in Media Forum, and enhancing psychosocial support. Additionally, participants called for greater involvement of women journalists in government delegations and stronger collaboration with development partners for funding and the establishment of a gender desk in media publications.
A panel discussion entitled “Women in Media” further spotlighted the necessity of gender equality in media leadership, featuring prominent panelists who emphasized the progress made in promoting women’s roles in media and reaffirmed the commitment to fostering gender parity initiatives.
Looking forward, Volatabu is hopeful about the future advancements for women in media. “I plan to travel to Vanuatu this week to continue this important work and anticipate ongoing support from funders for the initiatives women in media will undertake in the region,” she said, underlining the essential nature of sustained backing from donors and regional governments.
The recent communique, implementation of gender quotas, and ongoing dialogues surrounding gender inclusion reflect the Pacific region’s dedication to advancing gender equality in journalism, positioning women journalists to assume a more significant role in shaping the media landscape in the region.