Shifting the Power to Young Women of all Diversities

“We’re calling on our leaders to ensure that young women of all diversities have a seat at the table to find the range of solutions that will benefit our communities!” says Carolyn Kitione, the Regional Young Woman Focal Point of the Shifting the Power Coalition.

Addressing the theme of International Youth Day “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health” Ms Kitione says it is critical that the Pacific Way dialogue processes, COVID19 recovery plans, and actions to realise a resilient Pacific are inclusive of diverse young women:

“When we are empowered with leadership skills, information and access to decision making and networks, we can transform problems caused by the climate crisis to solutions that contribute to climate security.”

“We know climate change is real and that is why we want to have a say on policies, programmes and resources to respond,” adds Kuinileti Kolia of the Samoa YWCA

Across the Shifting the Power Coalition, young women are leading actions at local and national level – from the rapid response to health crises including the 2019 Samoa measles epidemic as well as COVID19, and localized impact of TC Harold and TC Yasa. Yet young women are also homogenized in spaces dedicated to young people, rather than having the resources and technical assistance they want.

That is why, says Kitione, as the climate crisis deepens, the Coalition is working to enable young women leaders to access the resources to learn across the Coalition and to be supported to claim leadership roles in community, national and regional spaces: “to redesign the decision-making table and lead the way with innovative solutions that amplify our own expertise”.

In Papua New Guinea, Helena Seneka of YWCA Papua New Guinea continues to work with the local Rotary Club and Ministry of Health to raise awareness on malaria, reaching out to young women in remote communities to empower them with information. Seneka is also coordinating the establishment of the Port Moresby Meri Gat Infomesen Hub ad a platform to enhance diverse women’s leadership in PNG's COVID19 response.

This is even more critical for young women with disabilities says Jay Nasilasila, the DRR officer of Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation: “To address women’s access to power and decision making, women want to have a say on water, food, infrastructure and health systems,” says In Tonga, #TheTalithaProject is amplifying SRHR conversations in schools connecting young people to information and support services through sports and social media.

Rural and coastal young women, like Kini Ceyaqalo a project assistant of Transcend Oceania in Vanua Levu, want to be part of developing the solutions to the climate crisis that will work for them:  “We’re adapting to the changes brought on by rising sea levels and changes in weather patterns.”   According to young women respondents in a recent Shifting the Power Coalition baseline survey conducted in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu the development of resilience programmes must take into account the impact on agriculture and water resources with special attention to health, food, safety and protection, as well as access to information and communication systems that are inclusive, appropriate and accessible.

The Pacific Youth Development Framework, more than half of the region’s population of 10 million, across 22 countries and territories, is under the age of 25. Key youth populations marginalised from mainstream development efforts include: young people who are not in education, employment and training; young women; rural youth; young people with disabilities; youth who are discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.

“When young women are supported and empowered with leadership skills, information and access to decision making and networks, we can transform problems caused by the climate crisis to solutions that contribute to climate security” says Taimalelagi Ramona Tugaga of the YWCA of Samoa and a member of the Shifting the Power Coalition Steering Committee