SR International and Associates/Blackstone Publishing

Publications, 2002-2003

This publication is a record of the Pacific women attending the inaugural meeting of the newly established Pacific Graduate Women's Network (PGWNet), the newest regional grouping of the International Federation of University Women (IFUW). The foreword is written by the President of the International Federation of University Women, Professor Reiko Aoki of Japan. She states that the most valuable part of the book is the brief glimpse it gives into the lives of nine Pacific women graduates who have generously shared their personal experiences told their stories. “All of them are inspirational in many different ways, particularly in the way in which they have overcome the obstacles that they encountered as women, to go on and become confident and successful women in their own right. They have earned the respect and admiration of their colleagues, families and friends and are truly great role models for young women graduates in the Pacific”. The graduates are:

There are five other valuable contributions included in the text. Dr Cheryl Hirst, Chancellor of the Queensland University of Technology spoke on the theme of the conference: "Linking Pacific Women in a Globalised World". Professor Brigid Limerick from the School of Education, University of Queensland; guided participants through facets of this theme and her presentations on “Appreciative Enqury for project management” are summarised. Motarilavoa Hilda Lini, Director of the Pacific Concerns Resources Centre in Fiji gave a public lecture on "Enhancing Indigenous Knowledge with Modern Education and Technology". Hilda's journalist training, her years as a Member of Parliament and Minister of many portfolios in the Government of the Republic of Vanuatu and the breadth and passion of her activism on behalf of indigenous peoples and Pacific issues were stirred together and distilled into a stirring and thought-provoking address, the full text of which is included in this booklet. An overview by Dr Shirley Randell and a history of PGWNet by Beverley Turner provide welcome background to the work of women graduates in the Pacific.

This Report to AusAID includes the findings and recommendations from the Awareness Raising on Court Rules Relating to Domestic Violence in Vanuatu Project funded under the Human Rights Small Grants Scheme in 2002-3. The Vanuatu Association of Women Graduates and SR International and Associates conducted the project.

The project was managed by a broadly representative steering committee consisting of representatives from the Vanuatu Women’s Centre, The Department of Women’s Affairs, the Vanuatu National Council of Women, the National Councils of Chiefs, the National Council of Churches, the National Youth Council, the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu, the Departments of Education and Police, the legal sector, the Chief Justice Rules Committee and the USP Law School.

The Steering Committee for the project produced a wide range of educational materials for resource packages, including brochures, posters, a comic book, and activities’ guidelines and conducted workshops in every province and many islands of Vanuatu. Chiefs, church, women and youth leaders, and community members attended the workshops and many people at grassroots level now have an understanding of how to use the new Domestic Violence Protection Court Orders

The 21 recommendations for further action relate to an inclusive, integrated and planned issues approach to the issue of family violence in Vanuatu. The cost of violence to the nation is discussed as well as the influence of kastom and religion in both perpetuating violence and in providing hope for promoting a culture of non-violence throughout Vanuatu. Recommendations are made about the passage of the Family Protection Order Bill in 2003, for training opportunities for police and law enforcement agencies, and further research and education on family violence. One of the significant recommendations for the future is for the establishment of a committee to canvas the need for a Human Rights Commission in Vanuatu and for further research and investigation, particularly in the area of sexual harassment in the workplace.

The report includes a summary of workshop attendance, examples of evaluations, radio transcripts and media releases and numerous black and white photos of participants in the workshops

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This remarkable collection has been put together to celebrate the memory of the late Grace Mera Molisa, pioneer, poet, author, publisher, women’s activist and stateswoman from Vanuatu. It is the first of what will no doubt be several publications on her life. The book has three sections. The first consists of tributes to Grace’s life, the second includes creative writing on issues Grace cared about, and the third records other tributes to Grace’s memory. Poets, authors and artists from Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Fiji Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Australia, New Zealand, UK and USA are represented. The majority of the writing is in English but there are also French and Bislama pieces. The book will be a valuable resource for Pacific literature courses in secondary and tertiary institutions. However, it has much wider appeal as it pays tribute to a woman who played a significant role in the politics of Vanuatu and the Pacific, in particular the advancement of women and creative writing.

In his tribute to Grace in the foreword of the book, the Hon Sela Molisa says: “Grace has left a wonderful legacy, not only through her prose and poetry, but also the deep love and respect her friends and family have in their hearts, which we will all treasure”.

“This is a Pacific lei/garland of different colours, scents, shapes and textures – A treasured gift for any time and to celebrate a wonderful life well lived”. President, Samoan Association of Women Graduates.

Molisa, Grace Mera. Women and Good Governance, Port Vila, Blackstone Publishing, 2002, 60 pages, 21 cms, 100 gms, ISBN 982-329-024-5

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Discovered posthumously, this is a booklet that the late Grace Mera Molisa had been working on for several years. In her foreword Grace wrote: “The publication reflects my experiences in Vanuatu, together with helpful inputs from many supporters in my quest for the achievement of Good Governance. My earlier tract: Raet blong Pipol; Wea Rod? (1991) was the beginning of this documented search…This publication is being put out specifically as an initial Awareness Raiser for Vanuatu”.

Some of the aspects covered in the booklet include

Women in Parliament

Good Governance

Food for Thought

Long God Yumi Stanap

Good Governance practices already exist - The best plan is the one that works!

Participation, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation

Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu - Preamble

     The Constitution

     Special Features of the Vanuatu Constitution

A Plan for Good Governance

     - Comprehensive Reform Programme

     - Port Vila Accord

     - The Basis for Reforms for Vanuatu

     - Good Governance

     - Principles of Reforming Public Administration in the Public Service of Vanuatu

Best Practices of Traditional Governance

Need for Political and Electoral Reform

Basis Tenets of Democracy

Democracy

Gender Benchmarks of Democracy

CRP Gender Benchmarks

Civil Society

Citizenship - Nationhood

The Life Cycle - Traditional Melanesian Values

Good Governance is: the Good News of Christianity

The Ten Commandments

VANWIP Vision

Vanuatu Women in Politics 2002 Statistics

Critical Areas of Concern in Raising Awareness

Strategies for Closing the Gender Gap in Representative Institutions

Strategies for Bringing more Women into Public and Political Life

VNCW Motto

Why Women ?

What Politics ?

Randell, Shirley (Ed) Ni-Vanuatu Role Models; women in their own right, Port Vila, Blackstone Publishing, 2002, 60 pages, 30 cms, 200 gms, black and white, photos, 2^nd edition, ISBN 982-329-021-0

Price: Pacific Islands: VT750 (RR1000)    Overseas           $AUD20            $US12

Postage and Handling:               Pacific: VT500;               $AUD7              $US4

                                                Asia, Americas:             $AUD9              $US5

                                                Europe, Africa:               $AUD11            $US7

Postage is for one copy only and could be more for multiple copies depending on weight. Discounts apply for multiple copies

There are very few publications either written by or about ni-Vanuatu people. This valuable collection is the first of its kind, setting out two page biographies of 20 distinguished women from every major island and Province of Vanuatu, told in their own words. The book has been designed especially for use as a text for secondary school students and particular attention is paid to the educational training experiences and career choices of each role model. However, it has much wider appeal as it includes stories of the significant life experiences of senior public servants, business women, journalists, an internet technician, a housegirl and a receptionist with a disability. The stories are remarkably frank, touching on early pregnancies, domestic violence, discrimination in the workplace and other challenges overcome. Pioneer poet, publisher, women’s activist and stateswoman the late Grace Molisa tells her story. The story of her politician husband and lawyer daughter are included as an example of a supportive partner and the next generation.

In launching the book, on International Women’s Day 2002, Prime Minister Edward Natapei said “Many of the issues that arise in the women’s lives relate to men’s attitudes, reactions and behaviour. I hope that future generations of men will have a more positive attitude to women and so make the path smoother for them”. Role models featured in the book include:

Mary Estelle Kapalu Mahuk– Olympic Athlete

Shirley Joy – Journalist, President of the Vanuatu Press Club

Nettie Collins-Varahu – Internet Technician

Jessie Leisave Jackson - Housegirl

Evelyne Toa – Radio Announcer

Nadine MartheThi Phong Nguyen Alatoa, Secretary-General, Council of Ministers Leitangi Solomon – Receptionist

Myriam Leiseria Leinamavero Abel – Director of Public Health

Margaret David – Market Businesswoman

Anne-Marie Sarisets – Women’s Editor

Rita Naviti - Chief Registrar of the High Court

Dorosday Dhressen Kenneth - Agronomist

Yvette Sam – Educator

Margaret David – Market Businesswoman

Mildred Sope – Hotel Owner and Manager

Grace Mera Molisa – Author, Poet, Publisher, Educator

Heather Leo – The Public Prosecutor

Votausi Mackenzie-Reur – Restaurant Owner and Manager

Nancy Wells – Chief Statistician

Rona Dini – Guest House Owner and Manager

And Grace’s partner and daughter, Sela Molisa and Viran Molisa

“The interest of the book is a good deal wider than that of a school text. Shirley Randell contributes a thoughtful introduction or ‘overview’, in which she comments on traditional gender values in Vanuatu, emphasises the transition from their traditional role in society that the women featured in the book have had to make in barely a generation, and analyses some of the common experiences and difficulties of her Role Models. She finds that the path to success has been much harder for many women than for men, partly because existing systems did not give equal opportunity to both sexes and partly because of the prejudices, jealousies and distrust exhibited by both men and women”. British Friends of Vanuatu Newsletter.

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Coloured Posters

Available from SRIA/Blackstone Publishing, PO Box 2072, Port Vila, Vanuatu, admin@sria.com.vu

Payment Details

Payment should be by electronic transfer or by bank draft in the appropriate currency to:

Australian Dollars. Account name: SRI Public Sector Reform Pty Ltd - Westpac Bank, Martin Place, Sydney, Australia: Branch 032 102 Account No.19 5239

SRIA/Blackstone Publishing

PO Box 2072, PORT VILA, Vanuatu