Pacific

The YWCA Hamilton received the Waikato Management School Sustainable Business Award in August and the Westpac National Sustainable Business Awards in October 2006. The winners of the prestigious award were recognized for their commitment in reducing their environmental impacts, improving staff and community relationships, and reducing

YWCAs around Australia have approached 77 prominent Australians to donate their shoes and take a stand against domestic violence. Famous Australians including Cathy Freeman, Germaine Greer, Steve Waugh, James Hird, Kirsty Sword Gusmao, Pru Goward, Jimmy Barnes, Andrew Denton, Rove McManus, Eric Bana and Missy Higgins are amongst the high profile Australians who have donated shoes. Their shoes and personal anti-violence messages make up the 'Seventy7 Pairs of Shoes' Exhibition.

YWCAs in the Pacific have just launched a quarterly communique which shares information about issues of interest to the region's seven national associations.

In this first edition, compiled by the YWCA of Australia, America Samoa shares their work over the past year to impact the lives of women and girls in the country.

“I, here in Aotearoa and the World YWCA stand with you as you clearly articulate the need for the end to all forms of violence in the Pacific. Especially violence against women and girls in the home. And the violence against our communities through armed conflict – the cost is too great and enduring. My prayers and thoughts are with. May the community hear our prayers and ‘walk the talk’ of peaceful resolution to conflict and stress, rather than resorting to physical, emotional and intellectual violence,” said Lisa Hayes, a World YWCA Executive member.

May 24th was the International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament. To commemorate this year’s global theme “Women Resisting Violence”, the monthly Suva at the Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedrall reaffirmed women’s role in promoting and working for active non-violence.

When the YWCA’s Tokstret radio programme hit Papua New Guinea (PNG) airwaves in 1997 it was met with harsh criticism and public disapproval. Tokstret, which means ‘straight talk’ in Tok Pidgin (one of PNG’s three national languages), definitely lived up to it name. Featuring expert panellists and representatives from the social sector, Tokstret’s discussions covered reproductive health and women’s empowerment. Although initially criticised for encouraging women to talk about private and taboo subjects on national radio, the programme eventually cut through these barriers.

Tarausila Bradburgh, a 29-year-old Fijian, was among delegates at this week's World YWCA Pacific Regional Training Institute conference in Rotorua to look at ways of dealing with HIV/AIDS in the South Pacific where in many places it remains a taboo subject.

Amelia Rokotuivuna
August 7, 1941 -June 2, 2005

On June 2, 2005, a woman of extraordinary energy, passion and ability who dedicated her life to promoting peace, democracy and social justice, died in Suva, Fiji, at the age of 63.

Amelia Rokotuivuna was a community leader far ahead of her time, who grew up in the Fiji mining town of Vatukoula and went on to become head girl of Adi Cakobau School, Fiji's most prestigious college for girls. She was a founder of the Fiji YWCA, joining Australians Ruth Lechte and Anne S. Walker in 1962 to begin the programmes of an activist organization that worked for peace and democracy in a multi-cultural Fiji. In 1967, she attained a diploma in social administration and development from the University of Swansea in Wales, returning to become General Secretary of the Fiji YWCA in 1973.