Source: Pacific Women’s Network Against Violence Against Women
24 July 2026
For immediate release
The Pacific Women’s Network Against Violence Against Women (PWNAVAW) has strongly condemned an “ultimatum” issued by the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs calling for the revocation of Dr Anna Naupa’s appointment as Director General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).
Network Chair and Coordinator of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, Shamima Ali, described the move as a clear misogynistic attack on women’s leadership.
“Dr Anna Naupa’s appointment is path-breaking for women and girls in Vanuatu and across the region. It marks the first time that a ni-Vanuatu and a Pacific woman has been appointed to lead the MSG Secretariat,” Ali said.
She noted that Dr Naupa’s appointment represents a significant milestone for women’s leadership and participation in regional decision-making across Melanesia and the wider Pacific.
Ali also expressed the Network’s support for the statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister of Vanuatu.
“Women’s leadership across the Pacific is not up for negotiation,” she stressed.
The Vanuatu Women’s Centre (VWC) has also denounced the call, describing it as a disgrace to the women and girls of Vanuatu.
VWC Coordinator Tatavola Matas said Dr Naupa is a highly qualified ni-Vanuatu woman whose leadership represents progress not only for Vanuatu but for the wider Melanesian region.
“To undermine her appointment is to undermine the recognition of women’s rightful place in decision-making at the highest levels,” Matas said.
“The Vanuatu Women’s Centre stands firmly against this attempt to silence and sideline women’s voices. We call for respect for due process, merit, and gender equality in regional leadership.”
VWC founding coordinator and prominent women’s rights advocate Merilyn Tahi echoed the Network’s concerns and called on traditional leaders to recognise and support women’s leadership.
Tahi noted that Vanuatu will mark its 46th anniversary of independence on 30 July and reflected on the important role women played in the country’s struggle for independence.
“Many women, from Hilda Lini to Grace Molisa, were part of the movement that helped secure our nation’s independence,” she said.
She said it is disappointing that, decades after independence, women’s leadership continues to be questioned despite their proven contributions to nation-building.
The Network said that honouring the legacy of Pacific women who fought for justice, freedom and independence requires ensuring that today’s women leaders are supported, respected and given every opportunity to succeed.
Background on the Pacific Women’s Network Against Violence Against Women (PWNAVAW)
In 1992, the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) facilitated and hosted the first Pacific Regional Meeting on Ending Violence Against Women in Suva, comprising women leaders from 15 Pacific Island countries. The inaugural meeting led to the establishment of the Pacific Women’s Network Against Violence Against Women (PWNAVAW).
Since its establishment, the PWNAVAW, recognised as the leading feminist collective on ending violence against women and girls in the region, has brought together decades of collective expertise, networks, and knowledge on women’s human rights in the region.
It has supported the efforts of Pacific governments, national, regional, and international CSO and NGO networks, and development partners to lift, build, and maintain the quality and standards for gender-based violence counselling services across the Pacific. This, in turn, is reflected in the emergence of many counselling centres and programmes in the Pacific region, including in Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
Collectively, since 1992, the Pacific Women’s Network Against Violence Against Women (PWNAVAW) has had a membership of government and non-government organisations in over 10 countries across the Pacific.
PWNAVAW, which is deeply rooted in the principles of feminism, women’s human rights, gender equality, and the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls, has also pioneered response and prevention approaches in engaging men.
The FWCC acts as the Secretariat for this Network and organises its conferences.