LocationsDriving gender equity in Tuvalu: for the wellbeing of all
December 3, 2025
More than 70 participants – women and men leaders, civil society organisations, and government representatives – came together to talk about how to make leadership in Tuvalu more inclusive.
In September, three major national events were held side by side in Funafuti, bringing together women, traditional leaders, parliamentarians, civil society representatives and government officials. Together, these events created a platform for learning, dialogue, and joint action, reinforcing Tuvalu’s commitment to gender equality and the wellbeing of all.
The National Women’s Forum, held from 8–11 September, gathered more than one hundred women from across all islands. Participants discussed priority themes including economic empowerment, leadership development, and the urgent need to address violence against women and girls.
The Forum also strengthened women’s understanding of Te Paagatasi a Tuvalu – the National Gender Equity Policy – and the recommendations issued by the CEDAW Committee following Tuvalu’s review earlier this year. These discussions helped deepen knowledge of two key instruments that guide national efforts to advance women’s rights and promote gender equality.
On 12 September, the Shared Leadership Forum brought women together with traditional leaders and parliamentarians. This dialogue focused on the advancement of women in national and local decision-making, including Parliament and Kaupule structures. Participants explored pathways for stronger cooperation between leaders and communities, emphasizing the need to create supportive environments where women can meaningfully participate in governance and leadership roles.
A final day of activities on 15 September reconvened the Forum participants to begin preparing for the first Paagatasi Festival, scheduled for next year. Island delegations worked together to shape the themes and activities of the festival, which will bring gender equity awareness and practical learning to communities across all islands. This session also provided an opportunity to deepen understanding of how climate change intersects with gender roles, daily responsibilities and community resilience.
The dialogue focused on why shared leadership matters, the barriers women face in getting elected, and the actions needed to achieve gender-balanced representation in Parliament and Kaupules.
Linking climate change and gender equity
The Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project (TCAP) contributed to the events by explaining the linkages between gender and climate change, encouraging participants to reflect on how environmental changes affect women’s lives, safety, livelihoods and traditional responsibilities. TCAP’s ongoing work on coastal management, community engagement and climate adaptation has already helped increase the visibility of women and youth in local decision-making. Through the development of gender-integrated Island Strategic Plans and the inclusion of women in training, employment and environmental monitoring, TCAP continues to support more inclusive and resilient island communities.
All three events were organised by the Gender Affairs Department, under the Office of the Prime Minister in collaboration with Tuvaluan civil society organisations: Tuvalu National Council of Women, Fatu Lei, FFEKT, Fusi Alofa, Tuvalu National Youth Council, Tuvalu Family Health Association, Live and Learn, and the Tuvalu Red Cross Society.
Their contributions help ensure that women from every island have opportunities to learn, raise their concerns, influence national policy, and shape the future they want for Tuvalu. The events were made possible through the support of the Government of Australia, the Pacific Community under the Pacific Women Lead Program, and TCAP.
Together, the National Women’s Forum, the Shared Leadership Forum and the Paagatasi Festival preparation day opened new spaces for dialogue and collaboration. They strengthened understanding of women’s rights, elevated women’s voices, and laid the foundation for concrete community actions guided by the Tuvaluan value of Paagatagi – equity.