Fay Volatabu, the executive director of femLinkPacific, has commended the growing presence of women in media leadership roles, following important decisions made at the recent 7th Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Summit in Niue.
Volatabu, a strong advocate for gender equality, highlighted the advancements made, especially the acknowledgment of women journalists’ vital contributions to the media industry. This was evident with the restructured PINA Board, which now includes three women, up from two in the prior establishment.
At the summit’s conclusion, Volatabu expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “This is a significant victory for women. I am thrilled to be in Niue for the seventh PINA Summit, contributing to the groundwork for future women journalists.”
She called the board’s gender quota a pivotal development for women in journalism, remarking, “For years we have discussed quotas, and now we see them in practice. I appreciate the male journalists for their understanding and support.”
This transformative change was announced on the final day of the summit, which included two days of discussions focused on the obstacles faced by women media practitioners from the Melanesian region and proposed solutions, summarized in a communique that was further examined during a lengthy panel discussion at the summit.
Volatabu emphasized the significance of this progress ahead of next year’s 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. She noted, “In 2024, during Beijing Plus 30, the regional media community can proudly state that they have achieved a key milestone by implementing a 50% gender quota on the Executive Board.”
Alongside the summit, a Women in Media training session gathered female journalists from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Women in Media Australia. Over two days, participants engaged in discussions on gender roles and policies impacting women, including the issue of Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).
The training culminated in a communique recommending measures to enhance working conditions and leadership opportunities for women in media. These suggestions included policy reforms, leadership quotas, psychosocial support, and better collaboration with governments and development partners.
Key recommendations included:
– Reviewing Policies and Laws: Establishing a point of contact within PINA to assess policies and develop safety protocols for women journalists, particularly in conflict and disaster zones.
– PINA Leadership Structure: Enforcing the 50/50 gender quota in the PINA Executive Board—successfully achieved at the summit—and establishing a Women in Media Forum prior to each PINA Summit.
– Sustainability and Support: Advocating for psychosocial support for women journalists and creating a Trans-Pacific peer support network with media organizations in New Zealand and Australia.
– Government Engagement: Ensuring women journalists participate in government delegations for a gender-inclusive perspective and integrating media literacy into educational curricula.
– Development Partners: Stronger partnerships with development partners, including funding initiatives for women in media and establishing a gender desk for media organizations.
To further emphasize gender equality in media leadership, a panel discussion titled “Women in Media” was held, featuring prominent figures, including Rosi Doviverata of Women in Media Fiji, Georgina Kekea of Tavuli News, and representatives from Women in Media PNG and Vanuatu. The panelists underscored the progress made and reinforced their commitment to advancing gender parity initiatives.
Looking to the future, Volatabu remains hopeful about ongoing advancements for women in media. “I will be heading to Vanuatu this week to continue our work, and we hope funders will continue to support the efforts of women in media throughout the region,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of continued financial backing and support from regional governments.
The communique, the implementation of the quota, and ongoing conversations regarding gender inclusion in media exemplify the Pacific region’s dedication to fostering gender equality in journalism. With these developments, women journalists are poised to play a more influential role in shaping the media landscape in the region.