Pacific feminists celebrated and reaffirmed their commitment towards sustaining solidarity, strengthening resistance and revolution for gender equality, human rights and justice at the closing of the 2nd Pacific Feminist Forum (PFF).
Over 150 women human rights defenders and grassroots activists from across the region convened for the 2nd PFF, which was held from May 20-22 at the Pearl Resort in Pacific Harbour, Fiji.
The three-day forum was organised by the PFF working group that consists of femLINKPacific, Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM), Diverse Voices and Action (DIVA) for Equality Fiji, Tongan Leitis Association and Rise UP (PNG). The 2nd PFF is supported by the Australian Government through the We Rise Coalition, Fiji Women’s Fund, Mama Cash and the UN Women Fiji Multi-Country Office.
“It was an empowering and inspiring three days at the 2nd PFF to share our insights, challenges, emotions and stories from Fiji and the Pacific and documenting these to amplify and ensure visibility for all the work we are doing, as well as having a collective voice to push for positive social change,” said femLINKPacific Executive Director Susan Grey.
The inaugural PFF in 2016 produced the Pacific Feminist Charter for Change, which sets out the collective principles that are key to the work of Pacific Feminists. At the culmination of the 2nd PFF, the participants rallied to map out an action plan and recommit to the Pacific Feminist Charter for Change.
“The call to action is based on the Pacific Feminist Forum Charter. This is an important follow-up step to turn a groundbreaking feminist document into a practical plan that can be carried out by diverse feminists in the 2nd PFF. It’s been a creative, exciting, substantive space to move forward, the feminist movement in the Pacific,” said Noelene Nabulivou of DIVA for Equality Fiji.
“The 2nd PFF celebrated the diversity of the Pacific feminist movement and provided an important space to reflect on the achievements, progress and challenges in our work. It has been three years since the Pacific Feminist Charter for Change came into being and the commitment towards these principles remain strong,” said FWRM Executive Director Nalini Singh.
The 2nd PFF included participants from over 14 countries across the region including Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, West Papua, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Samoa, New Zealand and Australia.
“It has been another momentous achievement for Pacific women human rights defenders’ to come together and create a space that is safe and enriching for strengthening our movement. The PFF will continue to be a platform for fostering diversity, connection and intergenerational leadership within Pacific feminist movements at the national and regional level and we look forward to another amazing convening in 2021,” said Ms Singh.
