BY JOY OFASIA
The inaugural colloquium of the Pacific Women Mediator’s Workshop opened this week in Honiara, marking a significant step in strengthening regional efforts to promote peace and security for women across the Pacific.
Among the speakers were representatives from the Pacific Conference of Churches, climate justice advocates from the Marshall Islands, and network members from across the Pacific region.
The event brought together women mediators and peacebuilders from Fiji, Tonga, West Papua, Solomon Islands, and other parts of the Pacific. The workshop focused on sharing experiences, building regional solidarity, and advancing the National Peace and Security Action Agenda (NPSA).
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), Dr. Cedrick Alependava, officially opened the workshop on Monday.
“This colloquium is a powerful example of what regional solidarity looks like,” Dr. Alependava said. “By sharing lessons across borders and connecting local wisdom with regional frameworks, we become stronger and build a more resilient Pacific.”
Dr. Alependava stressed the importance of reflecting on past experiences to inform future strategies. “It is critical that we acknowledge and respect the different contexts and priorities of our region while working collaboratively to implement the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda.”
The event comes at a key time, as the Solomon Islands government reviews its Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan 2017–2020. The review aims to guide the development of a more inclusive and relevant plan for the future.
“Whilst we celebrate the key achievements of our first National Action Plan, there were many lessons learned,” he noted. “The next version of the plan must be comprehensive, relevant, and reflect the shared goals of all stakeholders.”
Speakers and participants also addressed emerging issues such as climate change and cybersecurity, recognizing their disproportionate impact on women and vulnerable communities.
“This workshop is about more than just discussion,” said one participant from Fiji. “It’s about building real connections and creating strategies that will make our communities safer and more peaceful.”
