Advancing Women, Peace and Security in the Pacific

Event Overview

Tuesday, May 18 6:00PM-7:15PM EDT Watch the Event Recording

Women in the Pacific Islands region have been playing a leading role at both the policy and grassroots levels in peacebuilding, the economy, and climate action. However, progress has been uneven. The 2019 Women, Peace and Security Index highlighted that the Pacific Islands region, including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, has among the highest rates of violence against women in the world, among other constraints. Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea currently have no women representatives in their national parliaments.

Leading experts and practitioners joined together for a discussion of the challenges facing women’s inclusion, justice, and security in the Pacific Islands; strategies for overcoming persistent barriers; and entry points across policy and practice to advance progress for women and girls.

Featuring:

Ambassador Julie-Ann Guivarra Ambassador for Gender Equality, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia

Panel Discussion:

Dr. Jeni Klugman Managing Director, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security

Dr. Fiona Hukula Gender Specialist for the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and Former Senior Research Fellow, Papua New Guinea National Research Institute (PNGNRI)

Dr. Jacqui True Professor of International Relations and Director, Monash University’s Centre for Gender, Peace and Security

Ms. Sharon Bhagwan-Rolls Fijian Women’s Rights Advocate and Chairperson and Gender Liaison, Board of Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict

Moderated By:

Ambassador Melanne Verveer Executive Director, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security

Co-hosted by The Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security and The Embassy of Australia