Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa has called on women leaders to transition from mere consultation to actionable steps at the commencement of the 4th Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders Meeting held in Suva. Waqa highlighted the importance of this meeting, framing it as a strategic opportunity to address critical regional challenges while emphasizing the urgent need for effective coordination and leadership amidst multiple crises, including climate change, economic instability, and social fragmentation.
“The women of the Pacific, in all their diversity, are not waiting to be empowered. They are already leading,” Waqa stated, underscoring the essential role women play in advancing the Revitalised Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration. He asserted that true progress requires moving beyond rhetoric and consultation towards implementation and decisive action.
The meeting coincides with significant regional events such as the Pacific Regional and National Security Conference and the upcoming 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara, further intensifying the need for collaboration and united leadership.
Waqa also acknowledged various participants at the meeting, including Prime Minister Feleti Teo of Tuvalu and Tonga’s Sinaitakala Tu’itahi, chair of the session, while praising Fiji for hosting the region’s first-ever Pacific Technical Cooperation Session of the CEDAW Committee earlier this year—a milestone that marks a major commitment towards advancing gender equality in the Pacific.
The discussions around gender equality are occurring within the context of broader regional initiatives and commitments to the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, which aims to embed gender equality and social inclusion across all sectors and decisions. The Secretary-General made a call for action, encouraging leaders to ensure that financing and political support align with women’s ambitions to lead and create systemic change.
As the Pacific Islands move forward, there is an optimistic perspective that these ongoing dialogues and collaborative efforts will catalyze meaningful advancements in women’s rights, enhancing the conditions and status of women and girls throughout the region. The hope is that sustained commitment will lead to tangible improvements in gender equity and societal progress.
This emphasis on actionable leadership and accountability in addressing gender equality reflects a promising future where women are empowered and their contributions are recognized as pivotal to the region’s sustainable development.
Leave a comment