FemLinkPacific executive director Fay Volatabu has commended the growing representation of women in media leadership roles, following significant decisions made at the 7th Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Summit held in Niue last week.
Volatabu, a passionate advocate for gender equality, highlighted the accomplishments secured during the summit, notably the recognition of the essential contributions women journalists make to the media industry, culminating in the formation of a new PINA Board comprised of seven members, three of whom are women, an increase from two in the previous board.
At the conclusion of the summit, Volatabu remarked, “This is a monumental win for women, and I’m thrilled to be in Niue at the seventh PINA Summit, contributing to the advancement of women journalists moving forward.”
She characterized the introduction of a gender quota as a groundbreaking milestone for women in journalism, adding, “We have consistently discussed quotas, and now we witness a profession that embodies these principles and legal rights…they are truly putting their words into action, and I appreciate the male journalists for their willingness to listen and understand the importance of collaboration.”
This notable change occurred on the final day of the summit, which included two days of pre-summit discussions that brought together women media professionals primarily from the Melanesian region to address their challenges and propose solutions. A communique outlining these discussions was further explored during a panel session as the summit formally commenced.
Volatabu recognized the significance of this achievement as they approach next year’s 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. “With next year marking Beijing plus 30, when the media community of our region gathers for CEDAW, we can proudly state one of our major accomplishments is achieving a 50% gender quota on the Executive Board,” she stated.
The Women in Media training program, conducted alongside the PINA Summit, gathered female journalists from various countries including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Women in Media Australia. Over the course of two days, participants engaged in discussions surrounding gender roles, policies affecting women journalists, and issues like Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).
The training led to a communique featuring several recommendations aimed at enhancing working conditions and leadership opportunities for women in media, which include calls for policy reforms, leadership quotas, psychosocial support, and improved collaboration with governments and development partners.
Among the key recommendations were:
– A review of policies and laws, including the establishment of a focal point within PINA to develop safety protocols for women journalists, particularly in disaster and conflict zones.
– The implementation of a 50/50 gender quota in the PINA Executive Board, successfully realized at the summit, alongside establishing a Women in Media Forum prior to each PINA Summit.
– Increased sustainability and support, emphasizing psychosocial support for women journalists and creating a Trans-Pacific peer support network with media organizations in New Zealand and Australia.
– Engagement with governments to ensure women journalists are part of government delegations for gender-sensitive reporting and that media literacy is included in education curriculums.
– Stronger collaboration with development partners, proposing funding to support women in media and establishing a gender desk within media outlets.
A panel discussion dedicated to “Women in Media” during the summit brought additional focus to the significance of gender equality in media leadership. The session featured key figures including Women in Media Fiji’s founder Rosi Doviverata, along with representatives from various organizations who reiterated their commitment to advancing women’s roles in media.
Looking forward, Volatabu expresses optimism regarding continued progress for women in media, stating, “I will travel to Vanuatu this week to further our efforts, and we hope that our funders will continue to back the initiatives led by women in media across the region.”
The communique, the successful implementation of the gender quota, and ongoing dialogues surrounding gender inclusion in media reflect the Pacific region’s dedication to furthering gender equality in journalism. With these developments, women journalists are poised to play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of media in the region.