A new report has been released that aims to elevate the voices of Pacific women in Aotearoa New Zealand – experiences, both good and bad, and aspirations for the future.
The report speaks to the resilience of Pacific women and how far they have come. It celebrates progress, reflects on the past, and acknowledges the path ahead. Pasefika Proud actively supports initiatives which promote and socialise its key messages and work. Mahi undertaken by PACIFICA culminating in the Wellbeing Report – Voices from Pacific Women and Girls in Aotearoa, New Zealand, aids in the delivery of initiatives involving talanoa with Pacific women and girls around how they keep themselves safe, strong, prosperous, and resilient.
An online survey put together by PACIFICA Inc (Pacific Allied Council Inspires Faith Ideals Concerning All), gathered the thoughts, experiences, and hopes of Pacific women, aged between 13 to 78 years.
The aim of the survey was to understand the challenges faced by Pacific women and to document how they, despite statistics to the contrary, show resilience, strength, and mana.
The catalyst for this was PACIFICA’s aim to present a record of Pacific women and girls’ voices in 2023, understanding the challenges faced and how best to support them. As well as the online survey there were also two talanoa sessions in person, in Auckland and Wellington. The data from both was analysed and compiled into a compelling Wellbeing Report, which shares some interesting findings.
Respondents pointed out the difficulty of walking the middle ground between Pacific and Pakeha/Palagi and a sense of disconnect and feeling of not belonging in either.
Being torn between the two different worlds left some women with an identity struggle, and an acceptance of many barriers facing them. In October 2021, PACIFICA was granted special consultative status by the UN ECOSOC – the highest status granted by the United Nations to non-governmental organisations. The accreditation enables PACIFICA to participate fully in the UN system.
The Wellbeing Report – “Voices from Pacific Women and Girls in Aotearoa, New Zealand”, is the beginning of a series of projects that PACIFICA is keen to look into as part of their ECOSOC status and to provide opportunities for Pacific women to contribute effectively to the cultural, social, economic, and political development of Aotearoa New Zealand and its people.
