Gender equality: men take up the baton in Vanuatu
PORT VILA, Vanuatu - "We must take a stand as a country to break the generational cycle of domestic violence and abuse. Women are equal to men and have the right to live a life without fear, and grow up in a family and live in a society that respects and upholds their dignity. And this starts with us men and boys."
Prime Minister of Vanuatu Bob Loughman Weibur delivers these powerful words in a video advocacy campaign from Spotlight Initiative grantees Sista and Human Capacity Development International (HCDI).
“Rod Blong Jenis” (Male Champions of Change) was launched in partnership with Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, the Department of Women’s Affairs, and the Ministry of Justice and Community Services. It showcases 18 prominent male champions and leaders, highlighting how Ni-Vanuatu men can promote positive and healthy behaviours in men, provide equal opportunities for women’s participation across all sectors of society, and take action to prevent gender-based violence.
Below, interviews from the campaign shine a light on three male advocates, their personal experiences and why they have joined the push for equality.
Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, leader of the opposition and culture advocate
"As a child, I learned equality at home. Growing up, I saw my parents as educators and community leaders advocating for equality within their spheres of influence, which at that time was more 'public' for men and more 'community-oriented' for women, yet both leading by example. My parents were my role models.
Fast forward 40 years, and we, as political leaders and a nation, have developed platforms, principles, and documents - including the Vanuatu National Constitution - to guide us in making gender equality a reality for all. We, as a nation, have already committed to gender equality(1), where women can fully express their rights and the sustainable development of our country is achieved through the equal participation of men and women across all sectors of society.
"The ball is in our court, it is up to us – men – to transform ourselves to implement those commitments and principles fully." - Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, leader of the opposition and culture advocate.
We need to make ourselves fully aware of the commitments we have made and what equality means, practice it, and finally live by it. The ball is in our court, it is up to us – men – to transform ourselves to implement those commitments and principles fully. We must make equality happen.
I have great hope for future generations. The way young people are already being exposed to gender equality and human rights is very promising. Yet, we cannot lower our guard. The male advocacy needs to continue among chiefs, public servants and police. We need to come together to promote women's leadership across all segments of our society.
Much of the discourse against gender equality pivots around the idea that these are Western ideas. As a former director of the Vanuatu Cultural Centre, I challenge those assumptions. Gender equity is part of our traditional Melanesian culture, “kastoms”, and traditions, these were built on values that guide how we relate to different kin members and include a strong leading role of women in communities. The patriarchy we now see in our society should be viewed also as an imported model we should challenge."
Jonathan Naupa, farmer, entrepreneur, and women’s rights defender
"I was raised in Vanuatu in an environment where women were always treated as second class and were made dependent on men. The way we have treated women in this country is simply appalling. As a country and people, we have all experienced and suffered the consequences of gender-based violence and gender inequalities.
Violence is never the way forward. Not for any human being.
If only we had a group of women in Parliament, this whole country would be flipped on its head in a positive way. Women’s ideas and perspectives are crucial and as a country, we can not afford to have zero women in Parliament.
As Manager of a number of companies, I am not afraid to say that women are the engine of our economy, I have experienced it firsthand... Yet, this excellence seems to be taken for granted, purposely ignored or passed unnoticed by men. These efforts by women are overshadowed by men who try to belittle women’s achievements mostly from their own insecurities and inability to give credit where due.
"Women have often been domesticated into subservient roles, watching the back of men in the driving seat, and this has been a great loss for Vanuatu and its society. Women have the right to sit around the table and claim their seats." - Jonathan Naupa, farmer, entrepreneur and women’s rights defender
To change this, I think we need to expose more stories of empowered women in Vanuatu being successful across all sectors of our society. There are plenty of examples, but most remain concealed from the public eye which portrays a distorted representation of the role of women in our society. If we could all see their efforts then I believe our opinion of women would significantly change for the better.
The international trading companies I manage all rely on women's leadership and skills, their competence, efficiency and efficacy are what make the businesses a success. Women are in charge of nearly all jobs in the respective companies leaving the men to the hard labour and mechanical work. I am currently hunting for a female mechanic, such is the sense of relief and reliability when a woman is in charge.
Women have often been domesticated into subservient roles, watching the back of men in the driving seat, and this has been a great loss for Vanuatu and its society. Women have the right to sit around the table and they need to be allowed to claim their seats on merit as their contribution is crucial to the prosperity of this country.
We are heading in the right direction, although much still needs to be done though in the working arena especially in teaching younger generations how to respect and relate to each other.
My experience is that investing in women's education pays the highest dividends in reliability, focus, duty of care and honest communication. The capability has always been there."
John Vincent Stephens, DJ, singing from a new hymn sheet
"Even just one victim of gender-based violence is one too many already. Men are coming to the party late. They, we, should have stood up against gender inequalities in Vanuatu from day one.
For centuries, we have been imprinted with gender roles telling men and women how to do things, and why they should be done that way. When it comes to gender equality, to me personally it's about fairness - in people's discussions and in people's actions towards one another. How we are received and treated should be based on our character and personality, not our gender. Opportunities should be shared equally based on competence and results, not our gender.
"The future of gender equality looks brighter, but it will not be an overnight job. It will take time and dedication." - John Vincent Stephens, DJ.
The future of gender equality looks brighter, but it will not be an overnight job. It will take time and dedication, and hopefully with the help of mass media, we will be able to voice our concerns about inequalities and change people's mindset and behaviour.
Equality is crucial for prosperity and sustainability. The principles of human rights and equality should be instilled from the early years at school, continuing through to awareness programmes for communities so that everyone is fluent in the knowledge and practice of equality. Equality needs to become everybody's mother tongue, even more so for men.
Becoming a male ambassador for gender equality has been an opportunity to voice my values and concerns, and it has changed people’s perspectives toward me. Taking a stand against gender-based violence has resonated with many, showing that men too care for our island sisters and mothers. To the men out there who think that equality is an option and not a right, I would like to ask them to make time to listen, understand and observe, setting aside pride, ego, and stubbornness, and making room around the table for our island sisters and mothers -- because they have just as much right as we do."
By Cristina Comunian
Footnotes:
(1) Vanuatu was one of the first Pacific country to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
The Spotlight Initiative is a global initiative of the United Nations which has received generous support from the European Union. Its aim is to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
