Volatabu Commends Inclusion of Women in Media

femLinkPacific executive direcor Fay Volatabu has praised the ncreasing inclusion of women in media leadership, following key decisions made during the 7th Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Summit in Niue last week.

Volatabu, a vocal advocate for gender equality, celebrated the progress achieved, particularly the recognition of the integral role women journalists play in the media sector, culminating with the appointment of a new-look seven-member PINA Board made up of three women, up from two in the previous board.

Speaking at the conclusion of the summit, Volatabu said: "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 described the quota as a landmark moment for women in journalism, adding:

"We've always been talking about quota, and here we have the profession that amplifies quotas and legal rights ... they are walking the talk, and I thank the men, the male journalists, for listening and for having real understanding of what it is to be in the team."

This significant shift took place on the final day of the summit that included a two day pre-summit discussion, bringing together women media practitioners largely from the Melanesian bloc to discuss their challenges and propose solutions via a communique that was further discussed and highlighted during an hour-long panel discussion when the summit started proper.

Volatabu acknowledged the importance of this achievement ahead of 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 50% quota in the Executive Board," she said.

Women in Media communique

The Women in Media training, held alongside the PINA Summit, gathered female journalists from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Women in Media Australia.

Over two days, participants engaged in discussions on gender roles, policies affecting women journalists, and issues such as Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).

The training resulted in a communique outlining a series of recommendations for improving the working conditions and leadership opportunities for women in media including policy reforms, leadership quotas, psychosocial support, and stronger engagement with governments and development partners.

Among the key recommendations were:

■ Review of Policies and Laws:

Establishing a focal point within PINA to review policies and developing safety protocols for women journalists, especially in disaster zones and conflict areas.

■ PINA Leadership Structure:

The implementation of a 50/50 gender quota in the PINA Executive Board, which was realised at the summit, and the establishment of a Women in Media Forum to take place before each PINA Summit.

■ Sustainability and Support:

Calls for psychosocial support for women journalists and the creation of a Trans-Pacific peer support network with media organizations in New Zealand and Australia.

■ Government Engagement:

Recommendations to ensure that women journalists are included in government delegations to provide a gender perspective on reporting, and to incorporate media literacy into school curriculums.

■ Development Partners:

Proposals for stronger collaboration with development partners, including funding to support women in media and the creation of a gender desk for media publications.

As part of the summit's broader agenda, a panel discussion on "Women in Media" brought further attention to the importance of gender equality in media leadership. The session that featured Women in Media Fiji lead founder

Rosi Doviverata also featured Tavuli News Editor Georgina Kekea, Women in Media PNG reps Marjorie Finkeo, Vanuatu's Rita Bill, and Women in Media Fiji reps Iva Danford Naisara and Lavenia Lativerata. The panelists highlighted the strides made in advancing women's roles in media and reinforced the commitment to further gender parity initiatives.

Looking ahead, Volatabu is optimistic about the continued progress 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 said, underscoring the need for sustained support from donors and regional governments.

The communique, the quota's implementation, and the ongoing discussions around gender inclusion in media demonstrate the Pacific region's commitment to promoting gender equality in journalism. With these new developments, women journalists are set to play a larger role in shaping the future of media in the region.

• Lavenia Lativerata is the coordinator for Women in Media Fiji