Fay Volatabu, the executive director of femLinkPacific, has commended the growing involvement of women in media leadership following pivotal developments during the recent 7th Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Summit held in Niue.
A staunch advocate for gender equality, Volatabu highlighted the advancements made, particularly the acknowledgment of the crucial contribution women journalists make to the media landscape. The summit resulted in the establishment of a revised seven-member PINA Board that now includes three women, an increase from the previous board’s two female members.
In her remarks at the end of the summit, 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 characterized the quota as a historic milestone for women in journalism, expressing gratitude towards male colleagues who supported this shift.
This noteworthy change occurred on the final day of the summit, which included a two-day pre-summit discussion that brought together women media professionals, primarily from the Melanesian bloc, to address their challenges and suggest solutions. These deliberations culminated in a communique that was presented during a dedicated panel discussion at the summit’s start.
Volatabu recognized the significance of this achievement as the region approaches next year’s 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. “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,” she explained.
The Women in Media training, conducted alongside the PINA Summit, attracted female journalists from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Women in Media Australia. Over two days, participants engaged in conversations on gender roles, policies impacting women journalists, and issues such as Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV). The training resulted in a communique outlining several recommendations aimed at enhancing the working conditions and leadership prospects for women in media, including policy reforms, leadership quotas, psychosocial support, and improved collaboration with governments and development partners.
Key recommendations from the communique include a review of policies and laws to ensure safety protocols for women journalists in disaster areas, the implementation of a 50/50 gender quota in the PINA Executive Board, and the establishment of a Women in Media Forum ahead of future PINA Summits. Additionally, there were calls for psychosocial support for women journalists and the creation of a Trans-Pacific peer support network along with increased participation of women journalists in government delegations.
A panel discussion titled “Women in Media” further spotlighted the importance of gender equality in media leadership, featuring prominent voices from the field such as Rosi Doviverata and Georgina Kekea, among others. The discussions reinforced the ongoing commitment to gender equity initiatives within the media sector.
Looking forward, Volatabu expressed optimism about the future for women in media. “I will fly out to Vanuatu [this] week to extend [and] continue with the work, and we hope that the funders will continue to support the work that the women in media will be doing in the region,” she remarked, emphasizing the necessity for continued backing from donors and regional governments.
The communique, the successful implementation of the quota, and the ongoing dialogue about gender inclusion in media underscore the Pacific region’s dedication to fostering gender equality in journalism, positioning women journalists to increasingly influence the media’s future in the area.