Money is now one of the single most driving force for meaningful change in the Pacific.
Speaking at a press conference marking the close of the Fifth Pacific Women Leaders Meeting, Tonga’s Minister of Internal Affairs and chairperson of the meeting, Sinaitakala Tu’itahi said there was still a pressing need for financial resources to support national and regional interventions.
“There’s always a need for money,” she said.
“Financial resources are not enough at any time for all the advocates for gender-based violence and gender equality issues.”
Ms Tu’itahi acknowledged the support of international partners, including Australia and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), for enabling countries like Tonga to implement gender-focused initiatives.
“We thank the Forum Secretariat for policy matters, many come from them.
“They really help a lot with our interventions in our respective countries.
“And also Australia and other donor partners. They help us with various aspects of dealing with gender issues.”
The call for sustained and increased funding came alongside broader discussions around accountability and action. PIFS secretary general Baron Waqa said it was important to hold Pacific leaders accountable to their commitments, including those outlined in the Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration.
“The declaration has certain itemised areas of action and those are covered under that,” Mr Waqa said.
“But this meeting has more generally discussed physical and other views of women and girls.”
He said there was growing interest in making gender equality a standing agenda item at high-level regional meetings, alongside emerging issues such as drug abuse.
“The concern is there’s been some discussion, but maybe we need to set a major item, an agenda item, specifically for that and also for drug abuse and whatnot.”
