FemLinkPacific Executive Director Fay Volatabu has highlighted the growing inclusion of women in media leadership roles, following significant developments during the 7th Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Summit held in Niue last week.
Volatabu, a strong advocate for gender equality, celebrated the advancements made, especially the acknowledgment of the vital contributions women journalists make in the media industry. This progress is exemplified by the formation of a new seven-member PINA Board, which now includes three women, an increase from two in the previous board.
At the summit’s conclusion, Volatabu declared, “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 implementation of a gender quota as a historic achievement for women in journalism, expressing gratitude towards male colleagues for their understanding and support.
The pivotal changes took place during the summit’s final day, which included a two-day pre-summit dialogue where women media practitioners from the Melanesian region addressed their challenges and proposed solutions, later discussed in a panel.
Volatabu emphasized the significance of these accomplishments in light 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.”
A training session titled Women in Media, held alongside the summit, included participants from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Women in Media Australia. Over two days, the discussions tackled gender roles, policies affecting women journalists, and issues such as Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV). The training culminated in a communique with recommendations aimed at enhancing the working conditions and leadership opportunities for women in media.
Key recommendations from the communique include:
– Review of Policies and Laws: Establishing a focal point within PINA to assess policies and create safety protocols for women journalists, particularly in disaster zones.
– PINA Leadership Structure: Implementing a 50/50 gender quota in the PINA Executive Board and establishing a Women in Media Forum before each PINA Summit.
– Sustainability and Support: Advocating for psychosocial support for women journalists and forming a Trans-Pacific peer support network with media organizations across New Zealand and Australia.
– Government Engagement: Ensuring the inclusion of women journalists in government delegations to provide a gender perspective in reporting and incorporating media literacy in school curricula.
– Development Partners: Seeking stronger partnerships with development affiliates, including funding support for women in media and the establishment of a gender desk within media publications.
Additionally, a panel discussion on “Women in Media” emphasized the importance of gender equality in media leadership, featuring notable figures such as Women in Media Fiji lead founder Rosi Doviverata. The panel highlighted the progress achieved in enhancing women’s roles in the media and reiterated the commitment to ongoing gender parity initiatives.
Looking to the future, Volatabu expressed hope for continued advancements 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 initiatives that women in media will be undertaking in the region,” she stated, emphasizing the need for ongoing backing from donors and regional governments.
The communique, alongside the newly implemented quota and discussions surrounding gender inclusion in media, underscores the Pacific region’s commitment to fostering gender equality within journalism. As a result of these developments, women journalists are poised to have a larger impact on the media landscape in the region.