This June, more than 50 feminist representatives from 15 Pacific Island nations gathered in Fiji to assert a resolute message: Pacific feminists are committed to progress and will not retreat in their efforts.
The event marked the 4th Pacific Feminist Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Coalition Meeting date, held from June 17 to 19, 2025. This gathering focused on amplifying the voices of the region’s most marginalized groups—including Indigenous women, youth, and people of diverse genders—to advocate for bodily autonomy, gender justice, and human rights among all Pacific peoples.
Established in 2013, the Pacific Feminist SRHR Coalition has evolved into a vital force for regional feminist advocacy. According to DIVA for Equality, a co-convener of the Coalition along with the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement, the goal remains to prioritize people and the planet over profit—highlighting an ongoing resistance against systemic inequalities.
Over three days, delegates not only reflected on their achievements but also outlined strategies to address pressing issues related to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC). The meeting emphasized the need for renewed commitments from governments and non-governmental organizations to enact policies that uphold equitable and rights-focused funding initiatives.
This gathering followed the earlier Conference of Pacific Feminists Defending the Living Planet, which aimed to intertwine climate justice with feminist advocacy. It recognized that the challenges of climate change are inextricably linked to gender inequality and other systemic issues such as colonialism and neoliberal capitalism.
Moving forward, the next two years will see an intensified initiative from the Coalition to broaden its impact across all territories in the Pacific and support transformative actions that acknowledge the interconnectedness of sexual and reproductive health rights, human rights, and environmental justice.
The recent establishment of the Pacific Feminist Fund, which aims to bolster feminist initiatives across the region, represents growing efforts to ensure sustainable financial support for women’s rights organizations that tackle these overlapping challenges. This fund is expected to enhance the Coalition’s objectives significantly by providing essential resources necessary for impactful actions.
As the Pacific region prepares for significant international discussions, including COP30 and the United Nations Environment Assembly, the resolve demonstrated during this Coalition meeting illustrates a burgeoning momentum. Collectively, these efforts in advocacy, solidarity, and community organizing infuse hope for a more just future—one where gender equality and environmental protection go hand in hand.
In the face of ecological and socio-political challenges, the Pacific feminist movement stands as a beacon of resilience and a testament to the power of collective action for achieving meaningful change.
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