19/05/2026
Pacific Partners Call for Safer Workplaces for Women in Regional Campaign
Women in the Pacific deserve workplaces free from violence and harassment.
This is the core theme of a regional call to action online video campaign launching today led by the Fiji Women's Rights Movement along with the Business Coalition for Women from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association and the Vanuatu Human Rights Coalition.
The organisations are calling for the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work.
"Workplace sexual harassment and the lack of supportive policies have continued to undermine women’s well-being and opportunities at work. Shocking statistics from around the region should be a constant reminder of the gaps that urgently need to be addressed to ensure decent work for everyone in the workplace," FWRM Executive Director, Nalini Singh said.
The initiative, which coincides with this month's commemoration of worker's rights and decent work demands the immediate ratification, robust implementation, and strict enforcement of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No. 190 (C190).
Recent data highlighted in the campaign shows the scale of the issue:
• Papua New Guinea: A shocking 71% of women surveyed reported experiencing workplace harassment or violence.
• Vanuatu: 66% of women report experiencing sexual harassment, with many incidents remaining unreported due to a lack of safe mechanisms.
• Fiji: One in five women workers in paid employment have experienced workplace sexual harassment.
• Solomon Islands: Workplace harassment continues to be a systemic concern within public sector institutions, threatening women’s economic security.
"When governments, civil society, unions, and communities stand together, change is possible. We cannot talk about economic empowerment or gender equality while our women are unsafe in the places they work," Ms Singh added.
To protect women workers and guarantee safe, respectful, and equal professional environments, FWRM and its regional partners are formally calling on Pacific governments to take four immediate actions:
1. Ratify and fully implement ILO Convention No. 190 where not yet adopted
2. Strengthen national laws and workplace policies on violence and harassment
3. Ensure accessible reporting and protection mechanisms for women workers
4. Promote safe, equal, and respectful workplaces for women workers
Following today's official launch, the campaign will transition into a week-long digital rollout with key thematic short-reels focusing on C190 awareness, specific country perspectives, regional solidarity actions, and direct pathways for institutional accountability.
FWRM remains committed to advancing gender equality, strengthening labour rights, and ensuring that women in the Pacific region can live and work free from violence and harassment.
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For media queries please contact FWRM Communications Officer Serelisoni Moceica on 8677 330 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please follow our social media platforms for the campaign.