The Pacific Women Mediators Network works for gender-inclusive peacebuilding in the face of climate crises, militarization, and systemic inequality across small island and large ocean states. Our work focuses on climate justice, a nuclear-free region, and self-determination, leveraging integrated dialogue and community-led approaches rooted in indigenous and spiritual models. Despite milestones like Beijing+30 and UNSCR1325 anniversaries in 2025, global rollbacks on gender equality, human rights and peace demand urgent action.
The priority theme of the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) “Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices, and addressing structural barriers” and review theme “Women’s full and effective participation and decision making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls” provide an opportunity to strengthen national institutions, advance access to justice, and dismantle oppressive systems.
Decolonizing the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda means moving beyond token inclusion to address entrenched barriers and secure dedicated funding for women-led peacebuilding.
Key priorities for Pacific states must include:
i. Embedding Gender Equality, Peace, and Security commitments in national security mechanisms.
ii. Leveraging CEDAW obligations and feminist CSO-led efforts for inclusive governance.
iii. Linking SDG5 (Gender Equality) and SDG16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) to tackle climate and humanitarian crises.
The CEDAW Committee’s 2025 review highlighted:
Fiji: Progress on GBV laws but concerns over high prevalence and judicial bias.
Solomon Islands: Need for temporary special measures and reparations for past gender-based violence.
Tuvalu: Urged constitutional protections for women amid climate threats.
Read more via our CSW70 Briefing Paper:
