The Pacific Women Mediators Network Colloquium is an important step toward recognising and supporting the vital role of women in peacebuilding across the Pacific region. Held with the support of various international organisations and regional bodies, this event brings together female mediators, community leaders, and peacebuilders from different Pacific Island countries. The aim is simple yet powerful — to amplify the voices of Pacific women in decision-making spaces, especially in matters of peace, conflict resolution, and leadership.
Why This Colloquium Matters
For years, women in the Pacific have played a key role in resolving disputes at the community level. Whether through traditional systems or modern mediation methods, they have often helped prevent violence, rebuild communities after conflict, and foster peaceful dialogue. However, their work is not always acknowledged formally. The Pacific Women Mediators Network Colloquium helps bridge that gap. It provides a platform where these women can share experiences, learn new tools, build alliances, and push for greater inclusion in national and regional peace processes.
In many Pacific countries, women’s participation in official peace negotiations and political forums is still very limited. This is despite evidence from around the world showing that peace agreements are more sustainable and meaningful when women are included. The Colloquium addresses this challenge by not only training women mediators but also by encouraging governments and institutions to recognise and support their work officially.
What Happens at the Colloquium?
The Colloquium includes workshops, panel discussions, and storytelling sessions led by experienced women mediators and peacebuilders. It focuses on practical skills like conflict analysis, negotiation, inclusive mediation strategies, and how to engage with traditional and government-led systems. But just as importantly, it creates a sense of solidarity and empowerment among the participants.
One key feature is the knowledge exchange — women from countries like Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa, and Vanuatu get the opportunity to learn from each other’s methods and challenges. These exchanges help create new ideas and shared solutions that can be adapted locally.
Sessions are also designed to address real-life challenges faced by women peacebuilders. These include community resistance, lack of institutional support, funding issues, gender-based violence, and cultural barriers. By openly discussing these obstacles, the participants can find ways to overcome them and become stronger advocates for peace.
The Role of Regional and Global Support
The Pacific Women Mediators Network Colloquium wouldn’t be possible without backing from regional organisations such as the Pacific Islands Forum, and global partners like UN Women and the Commonwealth Secretariat. These institutions provide both funding and technical assistance to ensure the colloquium is inclusive, accessible, and impactful.
They also help in pushing for policy changes that formally recognise women’s contributions to peace and security. For example, supporting national action plans under the UN’s Women, Peace, and Security agenda, which encourages governments to create policies that promote women’s participation in peacebuilding.
Looking Ahead: A Stronger Network of Women Peacebuilders
The long-term goal of the Colloquium is not just to hold one-time events but to build a strong, sustainable network of trained women mediators across the Pacific. These women can then lead peacebuilding efforts in their communities, support each other during times of crisis, and influence policies at the national and regional levels.
By continuing to invest in such initiatives, the Pacific region can benefit from more inclusive, community-driven approaches to conflict resolution. This is especially important in areas affected by political instability, land disputes, climate change-related migration, and domestic violence — all issues where women are often on the frontlines but left out of the solutions.
The Pacific Women Mediators Network Colloquium is not just an event — it’s a movement that brings visibility, training, and solidarity to women who are already doing the difficult work of building peace. It reminds us all that when women are included, peace lasts longer, communities become stronger, and everyone has a better chance at a secure future.