A new project supporting women’s leadership, creative expression through songwriting, performance, filmmaking and storytelling is underway in the Pacific region.
The project, called Music for Change: Pacific Women, aims to create conditions for women to tell their own stories and in their own voices.
It is led by Australia-based non-profit, the Wantok Musik Foundation, who have collaborated with mentors to take the project to Papua New Guinea and Tonga to support the delivery and promotion of the initiative.
Artistic director David Bridie says, “We are so excited to be working in Bougainville and Tonga, alongside dynamic and talented local mentors and artists. The standard of the applicants, both for participants and mentors, is so high. We believe the outcomes will be powerful, exciting and great listening.”
Project Manager Llane Munau, who is working as a filmmaker during the project, will mentor the participants to develop their filmmaking and storytelling skills, creating documentary content as well as music videos.
Munau says that the project reflects the central role women play in Bougainvillean culture and community life. “Singing and music is part of us. It expresses who we are as Bougainvillean women.”
Supporting from Tonga is Project Manager ‘Ofa Guttenbeil Likiliki and Project Support Mia Kami, as well as mentors from Australia and New Zealand. For this part of the project they aim to hold discussions about the power of music to influence change through messaging and strong role models.
All the music and content will be able to be shared through Wantok Musik’s platforms and their in partners. It is hoped that the music created not only uplifts the participating women, but that the songs will motivate the next generation of women in Bougainville, Tonga and across the Pacific.
