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 Why Women Matter?

We believe that the contribution of women to a society is transformative and effective!

We value women’s role and potential in becoming champion change agents and leaders of their communities and environments.

Why Women?

Women and girls are crucial contributors and potent agents of change to a society. Real change can only be achieved when all genders are included, working hand in hand to foster an environment that is inspiring to everyone. Despite the fact that they’re not always recognized - women’s contributions have changed the world in every imaginable way possible and continue to do so.

At Melanesian Women Today, we value women’s role and potential in becoming champion change agents and leaders of their communities and environments. We believe that the contribution of women to a society's transition from preliterate to literate and from a relatively autonomous community to a member of a nation contributing to the world’s economy, and having equality is crucial in creating inclusive, open and prosperous societies in order to have lasting change. As a consequence, families who can adjust to new conditions or changes will fare the best when the economy and political landscape of a country and society changes. For women are the primary caretakers of young children and the environment. They play a pivotal role in encouraging or hindering change in family life and in society as a whole.

What about men?

We believe that engaging men as agents of change is imperative in advancing gender equality. Gender equality can only be achieved if men and boys are part of working together with women and girls, to amend the dynamics that prohibits progress. The idea of engaging men and boys for gender equality is based on the belief that achieving gender equality is about altering unequal power relations between men and women. This involves challenging the status quo - the notions of masculinity and traditional perceptions of manhood. It means men have to take the responsibility to change by questioning the power dynamics in regards to their actions or their words on a personal, interpersonal, and on a societal level.

Melanesian Women Today supports and encourages working with men as gender advocates - speaking out as active agents for change and stakeholders who can change social norms, behaviors, and gender stereotypes that promote discrimination and inequality.