In June 2007, Dechen Tsering, Program Officer for Asia and Oceania, made the Global Fund for Women's first ever outreach trip to Oceania, where she attended the 10th Triennial Conference on Pacific Women and met with Global Fund grantees. Here is Dechen's impressions gathered from meeting inspiring women.

by Dechen Tsering, Program Officer for Asia and Oceania

One of the most moving aspects of the trip was hearing from the women’s groups how significant it was that someone from the Global Fund had come to meet with them, listen to their stories, and see first-hand that their history is completely distinct from Asia.

Most of the Pacific Island countries were colonized. In fact, some countries like Samoa were colonized simultaneously by the French and the British. Indigenous communities also had to contend with Christian missionaries imposing patriarchal practices that undermined women’s roles. Prior to colonization, many of the Island nations were matrilineal. For example in Tonga, eldest daughters inherited land and participated in a culture of consulting with “Sisters” — a collective of women decisionmakers in the community. Today, women all over the Pacific struggle to regain this influential role.

Some countries, such as Niue, have as few as 1500 people. The largest, Papua New Guinea, has 6.2 million people dispersed over 300+ islands. Made up of thousands of islands and atolls, transportation between and within the island countries is limited and dangerous. Most people travel in packed, unsteady boats on the ocean, which can quickly turn deadly.

Since 1946, the US and European countries have conducted hundreds of nuclear tests; destroying and contaminating many islands in the Pacific. The significant presence of US military bases in the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and Palau exacerbate environmental problems, displacement of indigenous people, and vulnerability of women to exploitation.

The Pacific Islands has many nongovernmental women’s groups who focus on women’s issues, while also working with men. While some groups approach women’s issues from a women’s rights perspective, the term “feminism” is associated with western colonizers, and not seen as the “Pacific way” by most Pacific women’s groups. Some of the key issues highlighted during my trip were: family violence (includes incest and partner abuse); women’s decision-making roles; land rights; lack of representation of Pacific women in international arenas; HIV/AIDS; environmental challenges; and young women’s leadership. Many of the region’s governments support women’s departments headed by women ministers, many of whom attended the conference. But the Triennial offered the unique opportunity for women’s groups to push for policy shifts in favor of women’s equality in all areas of governance, including the economy, culture and security.

My visit to Fiji was especially intense given the country’s complex political and cultural history. Fiji has seen three coups since 1987. The latest in December 2006 has exacerbated racial tensions between indigenous Fijians and Fijian-Indians (many of whom are third and fourth generations). As one taxi driver said to me, “Everyone’s involved in politics; NGOs, donors, politicians, and the business people!” Some consider the current government to be illegal, while others support the coup because of the previous government’s corruption and pro-indigenous policies. The current military government appears to be eroding its promises to “clean up” corruption, because it is implicated in human rights abuses. For example, Virisila Buadromo of Global Fund grantee, Fiji Women’s Rights Movement, was abducted, interrogated and physically abused for four hours by the military for speaking out against the coup. We commend the bravery of FWRM, and other human rights organizations that are calling upon the military to respect the rule of law.

In Papua, New Guinea, Kup Women for Peace, another Global Fund grantee, is providing an inspiring example of how women are playing a role in ensuring security. These women live in the highlands of Papua New Guinea and suffered 30 years of tribal conflicts. Women from different tribes came together, started talking and decided to end the violence by literally sitting in the middle of the warring factions and demanding peace. They are getting results and growing as a movement!

I left the Pacific Islands feeling excited, rejuvenated and much more informed! I am convinced that as donors we must be patient and respect the “Pacific way” of building a women’s movement. Our challenge as donors and as people who care about the region is to listen to the island women and identify strategic areas and groups to support in the Pacific.