Fay Volatabu, the executive director of femLinkPacific, has commended the growing representation of women in media leadership roles following significant decisions made during the 7th Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Summit in Niue last week.
As a strong advocate for gender equality, Volatabu celebrated the advancements, particularly the acknowledgment of the essential contributions of women journalists in the media industry, which led to the appointment of a new seven-member PINA Board featuring three women, an increase from two in the previous board.
At the summit’s conclusion, she expressed enthusiasm, stating, “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.”
Volatabu referred to the quota as a historic achievement for women in journalism, indicating that past discussions about quotas have now resulted in tangible outcomes. She expressed gratitude to male journalists for their support in recognizing the importance of teamwork and inclusion in the media.
This significant change occurred on the summit’s final day, which followed a two-day pre-summit meeting where women media professionals, primarily from the Melanesian region, came together to address their challenges and suggest solutions that were later outlined in a communique discussed in a panel session.
Volatabu acknowledged the importance of this milestone ahead of next year’s 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, noting that when the media community attends CEDAW next year, they will be able to highlight having achieved a 50% gender quota on the Executive Board.
The Women in Media training program held parallel to the PINA Summit welcomed female journalists from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Women in Media Australia. Throughout two days, participants deliberated on gender roles, policies affecting women journalists, and issues such as Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV). The training concluded with a communique proposing recommendations aimed at improving the working conditions and leadership opportunities for women in media, including policy changes, leadership quotas, psychosocial support, and enhanced collaboration with governments and development partners.
Among the key recommendations were:
– Establishing a focal point within PINA to review policies and develop safety protocols for women journalists, particularly in conflict zones and disaster areas.
– Implementing a 50/50 gender quota in the PINA Executive Board and creating a Women in Media Forum before each PINA Summit.
– Advocating for psychosocial support for women journalists and forming a Trans-Pacific peer support network with media organizations in New Zealand and Australia.
– Ensuring the inclusion of women journalists in government delegations to provide gender perspectives and integrating media literacy into educational curriculums.
– Encouraging stronger cooperation with development partners, including funding for women in media and establishing a gender desk within media publications.
A panel discussion on “Women in Media” further emphasized the importance of gender equality in media leadership and included prominent figures such as Rosi Doviverata from Women in Media Fiji, Tavuli News Editor Georgina Kekea, and representatives from Women in Media PNG and Vanuatu. The panelists underscored progress in supporting women’s roles in media and reinforced their commitment to initiatives for greater gender parity.
Looking ahead, Volatabu remains hopeful for continued advancements for women in media and plans to extend her efforts in Vanuatu. She emphasized the critical need for ongoing support from donors and regional governments to ensure the sustainability of these initiatives.
The recent communique, the new quota implementation, and discussions surrounding gender equality in media reflect the Pacific region’s commitment to enhancing gender representation in journalism, positioning women journalists to significantly influence the future of media in the area.