Emele Duituturaga, the Coordinator of Gender Studies at Pacific Communities University, has raised concerns over the inefficacy of current gender policies in the Pacific region. During her address at the Traditional Knowledge Conference in Nadi, Duituturaga emphasized that existing interventions often fail to resonate with the lived experiences of young people. She advocates for an overhaul of gender programs, one that aligns with Pacific philosophies, spiritual beliefs, and cultural wisdom.
Duituturaga highlighted the pressing issue of HIV, revealing that in 2024, 70% of the 1,583 new HIV cases were among I-taukei men aged 20-29. She called this a gender issue, questioning the underlying reasons and societal dynamics contributing to such statistics. Duituturaga urged for gender policies that are deeply rooted and more than just academic discussions, emphasizing the need for these policies to be intrinsic to both development and learning processes.
A cohesive approach is necessary, according to Duituturaga, as policy makers, academics, and communities must collaboratively develop practical solutions to improve future generations’ lives. She champions the empowerment of men as ethically strong leaders within families and communities, rejecting the notion that faith and culture are obstacles rather than enablers.
This call for change aligns with broader regional dialogues focused on integrating grassroots efforts and community-centered discussions in policy making. Similar sentiments have been echoed in prior meetings such as the Fifth Pacific Women Leaders Meeting, where the focus shifted toward everyday realities impacting women and families in the Pacific. These discussions foreground the importance of addressing systemic inequalities and empowering both women and men in dynamic roles.
The challenge now is to bridge the gap between policy and reality, ensuring that gender equity initiatives are effectively implemented and truly reflective of Pacific communities’ needs. The envisioned change seeks to harness cultural and spiritual frameworks for pragmatic gender policies that not only address current disparities but also pave the way for a more equitable future.