Fay Volatabu, the executive director of femLinkPacific, has commended the growing inclusion of women in media leadership roles following crucial advancements made during the recent Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Summit in Niue. Volatabu, an active advocate for gender equality, highlighted the progress achieved, particularly the recognition of the essential contributions of women journalists. This culminated in the formation of a new PINA Board comprising seven members, including three women, an increase from two in the prior board.
At the summit’s conclusion, Volatabu expressed her enthusiasm for the significant achievement, 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.” She characterized the quota as a groundbreaking development for women in journalism, praising the support from male journalists who have acknowledged the importance of teamwork.
This pivotal change occurred on the summit’s final day, which included a two-day pre-summit discussion that brought together women media practitioners primarily from the Melanesian region to address their challenges and propose solutions. A communique was created and later discussed during a panel session as the summit commenced.
Volatabu recognized the significance of this milestone ahead of the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. She noted, “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.”
The Women in Media training conducted alongside the PINA Summit involved female journalists from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Women in Media Australia. Over two days, attendees deliberated on gender roles, policies affecting women journalists, and issues such as Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV). The training concluded with a communique outlining recommendations for enhancing working conditions and leadership opportunities for women in media, including policy reforms, leadership quotas, psychosocial support, and stronger engagement with governments and development partners.
Key recommendations included:
– Reviewing Policies and Laws: Establishing a focal point within PINA to assess policies and create safety protocols for women journalists, particularly in disaster and conflict zones.
– PINA Leadership Structure: Implementing a 50/50 gender quota on the PINA Executive Board and forming a Women in Media Forum ahead of each PINA Summit.
– Sustainability and Support: Advocating for psychosocial support for women journalists and establishing a Trans-Pacific peer support network with media organizations in Australia and New Zealand.
– Government Engagement: Ensuring the inclusion of women journalists in government delegations to provide a gender perspective on reporting and integrating media literacy into educational curricula.
– Development Partners: Proposing enhanced collaboration with development partners for funding support for women in media and the establishment of a gender desk within media outlets.
During a panel discussion on “Women in Media” at the summit, the necessity of gender equality in media leadership was further emphasized. The panel included participants from Women in Media Fiji, PNG reps, and others who stress the advancements in women’s roles in media and the ongoing commitment to promote gender parity.
Looking forward, Volatabu is hopeful about the ongoing advancements for women in media. She plans to travel to Vanuatu soon to continue this work and emphasized the importance of ongoing support from donors and regional governments. The communique, the newly implemented quota, and the discussions surrounding gender inclusion in media reflect the Pacific region’s dedication to fostering gender equality in journalism. These developments position women journalists to play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of media in the region.