Fay Volatabu, the executive director of femLinkPacific, has commended the growing involvement of women in media leadership roles, following significant developments at the 7th Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Summit in Niue last week.
As an advocate for gender equality, Volatabu celebrated the advancements made, particularly the acknowledgment of women’s essential contributions in journalism. This progress was highlighted by the formation of a new seven-member PINA Board, which now includes three women, an increase from two members in the previous board.
At the summit’s conclusion, Volatabu stated, “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 referred to the board’s gender quota as a historic achievement for women in journalism, adding, “We’ve always been talking about quotas, and here we have the profession that amplifies quotas and legal rights … they are walking the talk, and I thank the male journalists for listening and understanding what it means to be part of the team.”
This pivotal change occurred on the final day of the summit, which had included discussions among female media practitioners, mostly from the Melanesian region, on their challenges and solutions. These discussions contributed to a communique that was further examined in a comprehensive panel session at the summit’s start.
Volatabu emphasized the significance of this achievement ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action next year. She noted that during the upcoming CEDAW meeting, the media community could boast a milestone of achieving a 50% quota in the Executive Board.
The Women in Media training, organized simultaneously with the PINA Summit, convened female journalists from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Women in Media Australia. Over two days, participants explored topics related to gender roles, policies impacting women journalists, and issues like Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV). The training culminated in a communique that provided recommendations for enhancing working conditions and leadership opportunities for women in media, advocating for policy reforms, leadership quotas, psychosocial support, and collaboration with governments and development partners.
Key recommendations included the establishment of a PINA focal point for reviewing policies and safety protocols for women journalists in disaster zones; implementing a 50/50 gender quota within the PINA Executive Board; providing psychosocial support and developing a Trans-Pacific peer support network; ensuring the inclusion of women journalists in government delegations for a gender perspective; and fostering partnerships with development organizations to support women in media.
Additionally, a panel discussion on “Women in Media” further highlighted the importance of gender equality in media leadership. This session featured notable speakers, including Women in Media Fiji founder Rosi Doviverata and various representatives from Women in Media PNG and Vanuatu, who emphasized the progress made and the ongoing commitment to gender parity initiatives.
Looking forward, Volatabu remains hopeful about further advancements for women in the media. She plans to travel to Vanuatu to continue this important work and encourages ongoing financial support from donors and regional governments. The successful implementation of the gender quota and the ongoing advocacy for gender inclusion in media signify a strong commitment in the Pacific region to enhance gender equality in journalism. With these developments, women journalists are poised to take on larger roles in shaping the future of media within the region.