To ensure that young people play an active role in decision-making about the Pacific Women Lead (PWL) programme, an advisory mechanism is being established to inform the PWL Governance Board.

The Pacific Women Lead at the Pacific Community (PWL at SPC) programme is seeking Expressions of Interest from six youth* from SPC Pacific Island member countries and Australia to establish the first cohort of a Youth Working Group, to be chaired by PWL Governance Board member ‘Ana Malia Falemaka.

The selection of the six members will prioritise diversity (in relation to areas of experience, ability, identity, and location).

Consideration will also be given to areas of alignment with current Governance Board membership and complementarity with the Pacific Girl Reference Group (comprised of adolescent girls and young women participants in activities supported by the Pacific Girl programme).

“When we talk about achieving gender equality in our region, it’s important for us females to take the lead and do the work but it’s also important to be working with our counterparts, our male champions,” explained Ms Falemaka. “I’m very excited about the establishment of the youth working group.”  

It is envisioned that members of the group will, in their individual capacities, bring their expertise and experience to help ensure that the board’s decisions are informed by the perspectives and interests of Pacific youth to support the Goal of Pacific Women Lead: ‘‘Pacific women and girls, in all their diversity, are safe and equitably share in resources, opportunities and decision-making, with men and boys.”

Expressions of Interest must be submitted by Monday 7 August at midday (Fiji time).

Submissions can be provided via an online form and must demonstrate the applicant’s interest in joining the Youth Working Group by sharing a personal reflection on their experience to date, what they hope to contribute, and learning goals as a working group member. 

The reflection may take many forms, including but not limited to up to 500 words of written reflection; up to 2-minute video or audio recording; or a digitised visual art piece with accompanying explanation (up to 250 words or 1-minute audio/video).

For applicants experiencing challenges with the online form, contact the Governance Board Secretariat – PWL at SPC – by emailing pwl@spc.int

* With due recognition of the varied nature of definitions of youth in the Pacific, the broad approach would be to focus on people aged 15–24, while also considering those outside of the specified age range.

Source: Pacific Community Newsletter