Vanuatu Women's Centre

04/10/2026

🇻🇺 HAPPY CONSTITUTION DAY, VANUATU! 🇻🇺

Honouring history, service and the people who helped shape our nation.

On this Constitution Day, the Vanuatu Women’s Centre proudly shares this historical photograph from 1980, featuring Anne Marie Simeon, a former Police Officer and current VWC Humanitarian Officer, during her service as a police es**rt to the Governor-General of New Zealand.

This photograph is a reminder of the important roles ni-Vanuatu women have played in our country’s history and public service.

Today, we celebrate our Constitution and reaffirm our commitment to equality, justice, dignity, peace and a Vanuatu free from violence against women and children.

🇻🇺 Happy Constitution Day to all ni-Vanuatu!

03/10/2026

21/09/2026

Klaemet Adaptajn i Nidim Vois blong Yumi Evriwan Long Komuniti🌱
This week, government, partners and community representatives are coming together for a two-day workshop on how to make sure women, men, young people, people with disability and remote communities are part of National Adaptation Plan (NAP) work.
Climate change does not touch every family in the same way. In Vanuatu, women, people with disability, young people, elders and people living far from town often feel the first and heaviest impacts. They also hold knowledge about land, water, gardens, custom and looking after family that we need if adaptation is going to work.
When everyone has a say in how we prepare for climate change, the answers fit real community life, support reaches the people who need it most, and families stay stronger for longer. If people are left out, the work can miss the mark — or make life harder for those already struggling.
Over two days we will look at practical ways to do this in NAP delivery — so adaptation is built with communities, area councils and provinces, not only for them.
This work forms part of the Readiness programme supporting implementation of Vanuatu’s National Adaptation Plan and Provincial Adaptation Plans. We thank our implementation partner .
Together, we can turn national plans into action that leaves no one behind- Ministry of Climate Change Vanuatu Green Climate Fund

21/09/2026

Today, 21 September 2026, the Vanuatu Women’s Centre, Vila Branch joined communities around the world to commemorate International Day of Peace through a community awareness program at Lacoline Zone 5 & 6 at Club Hippique. 🕊️💜
The program began with a welcome speech from the Chief of Lacoline, followed by remarks from the VWC Coordinator, who spoke about the importance of peace and the significance of International Day of Peace.

A woman representative from the community also shared her message, followed by awareness sessions led by VWC on:

🔹 Different forms of domestic violence
🔹 Violence against women and its impact on women, children and families
🔹 The Family Protection Act
🔹 Legal information and available support
🔹 An in-depth discussion and questions on legal issues related to violence and protection

This special event provided an important space for community members to learn, ask questions and openly discuss ways to promote peace, safety and respect within families and the wider community.

💜Mekem P*s hemi stap insaed lo hom blong yumi oltaem.

Together, we can build communities free from violence against women and children.

21/09/2026

🇻🇺 Vanuatu has touched down at the 4th Pacific Feminist Forum - PFF 🌺

Our Vanuatu representatives bring together voices and experiences from across the movement: Ann Pakoa from the Vanuatu Human Coalition, Vivian Obed from Further Arts Nesar Studio, Viran Molissa from the Vanuatu Women's Centre Tracey Sese from the Vanuatu Family Health Association, and Sista’s Human Resources and Administration Lead, Anthea Kay, and Program Manager, Josepheen Tarianga.

This morning, the group came together to reflect on Vanuatu’s representation across the last three PFFs, with Ann Pakoa , sharing, as as a knowledge holder who has attended all three previous Forums. Ann shared reflections on the focus areas and conversations that have shaped the PFF space over the years, and how these have evolved.

We also reflected on the 2026 Vanuatu Women’s Festival Call to Action, exploring how its priorities connect with the longstanding priorities and conversations of women across the Pacific, while also sharing some of the opportunities and challenges we experience in advancing this work in Vanuatu.

Sista is grateful to be part of this shared space with feminists from across the Pacific, and especially to be learning alongside young feminists, experienced knowledge holders, and generations of women who continue to shape and strengthen our movements. 🌺

We are excited to share our learnings, experiences and outcomes from the coming days, and to continue building connections, knowledge and solidarity across the region. 🇻🇺🌺

17/09/2026

Our deepest sympathies go to the families who have lost their loved ones, and to those whose loved ones remain missing at sea following the tragic sinking of the MV Matui.

During this time of profound grief and uncertainty, our thoughts and prayers are with all the affected families, their loved ones, and the wider community in this nation.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
— Psalm 34:18

With deepest condolences,

The Staff and Management
Vanuatu Women’s Centre

17/09/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Lee and Kevin Krestchmar from Auckland, New Zealand, for their generous donation of little gifts to support our clients.

Your kindness and generosity will help bring comfort and encouragement to women and children accessing services at the Vanuatu Women’s Centre (VWC).

Thank you for standing with VWC and supporting our continued efforts to provide essential services to women and children in Vanuatu. 🙏🌺

Tankio tumas, Lee mo Kevin.

02/09/2026

Janet Boedovo is a remarkable woman who has dedicated her life to serving and protecting her community. As a police officer and a co-founder of the Vanuatu Women’s Centre, she demonstrated extraordinary courage, compassion and determination in responding to the realities faced by women and families experiencing violence.

For the past 34 years, the Vanuatu Women’s Centre has stood as a strong voice and a place of safety, support and hope for women and children affected by domestic violence and other forms of violence. This achievement is a reflection of the courage, perseverance and commitment of pioneers like Janet Boedovo, whose vision helped lay the foundation for an organisation that continues to serve communities across Vanuatu.

Today, the Vanuatu Women’s Centre continues to assist and support victims and survivors of all forms of domestic violence, while working alongside them as they seek safety, justice, healing and a better future. Its 34-year journey is a powerful testament to what can be achieved when courage, compassion and perseverance are turned into action.

As Janet steps into her well-earned retirement, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and deepest gratitude for her decades of selfless service. Her unwavering dedication has left an indelible mark on Vanuatu, leaving behind a legacy of safety, empowerment, and justice that will continue to inspire generations to come. We wish her peace, joy, and every happiness in this next chapter of her life.

02/09/2026

Today, Wednesday 2nd September 2026, the Vanuatu Women's Centre (VWC) proudly marked its 34th Anniversary, joined by Trustees Board Members Mr.Moses Stevens and Mrs. Meriam Abel and new board members Mr.Iaken Ampen, Mrs.Shanna Ligo, and Mrs.Judith Iakavai, alongside representatives from the New Zealand and Australian High Commissions, VWC construction workers, and senior staff.

The celebration opened with a warm welcome from the VWC coordinator, followed by inspiring remarks from the New Zealand and Australian High Commission representatives. VWC senior staff then presented each component, followed by the coordinator's overview of end-of-program outcomes across all components — showcasing the achievements, impact, and progress of VWC's services for women, children, and communities across Vanuatu.

This anniversary comes on the back of VWC's landmark 2024 Second National Survey on Women's Lives and Family Relationships, conducted with the Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics. The survey found that physical or sexual violence against women by husbands and partners fell 9 percentage points over 15 years — from 44% in 2009 to 35% in 2024, a faster decline than the global average. Research also shows that areas where VWC has been most active have significantly lower rates of violence than areas with less VWC presence — real evidence that three decades of counselling, advocacy, and community education are changing lives.

34 years of commitment, partnership, and dedication to preventing and eliminating violence against women and children in Vanuatu. The Vanuatu Women's Centre acknowledged the work of former and current staff who have built the organisation to where it is today.

The Vanuatu Women's Centre also acknowledges the Australian Government, the New Zealand Government, the Vanuatu Government, the Provincial Governments, Community Leaders, and the Women, Girls and Children of Vanuatu—whose support and trust ensure this work continues.

💜 Happy 34th Anniversary, VWC!

01/09/2026

Vanuatu Women’s Centre bae klos long moning long Wednesdei, 2 Septemba 2026, blong yumi stap makem 34 Anniversari blong VWC.

🕑 VWC bae i open bakeken long 2:00 PM.
Tank yu tumas long andastanding mo kontinu lo sapot blong yufala.