July 22-26, 2024, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands – A high-level delegation from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) participated in the 15th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women, the 8th Meeting of Pacific Ministers for Women, and the 2024 Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands. These three distinct meetings were condensed into one week, with discussions centered on gender issues informed by regional and international policy frameworks aimed at advancing gender equality.
The FSM delegation included high-level women lawmakers (National and State Senators) such as FSM Senator Perpetua S. Konman, Senator Merlynn Abello-Alfonso, Senator Yoslyn G. Sigrah, and Pohnpei State Senator Herolyn S. Movick. The delegation was also accompanied by technical and legal staff from the FSM Congress, FSM President’s Chief of Staff Mrs. Jane J. Chigiyal, and technical and legal staff from the executive branches of the FSM and State governments, as well as representatives from the Chuuk Women’s Council, a CSO/NGO.
Around 300 participants from across the Pacific attended the Triennial Conference, where key gender priorities in the region were discussed, including women’s health, gender-responsive climate justice, and the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV). The week also provided a valuable opportunity for regional partners, government representatives, advocates, and members of civil society organizations to network and share common interests.
FSM’s interventions were delivered by various members of the delegation. The 8th Meeting of Pacific Ministers for Women provided a platform for sharing achievements and lessons among Pacific countries and territories. During the meeting, Secretary Marcus Samo emphasized, “Investing in strategic and targeted measures for women’s health is not new for FSM.” The FSM was commended for its efforts to increase access to pap smear screening through its telepathology program and cervical cancer screening and testing, both aimed at ensuring that “no woman is left behind.”
Senator Perpetua S. Konman highlighted the importance of gender equality and sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) educational programs in primary and secondary schools, including menstrual hygiene education. Senator Merlynn Abello-Alfonso addressed the impact of climate change on human health, stating, “Our women and girls in small island states suffer disproportionately from its impacts, especially those with disabilities, and those living in remote, marginalized, or hard-to-reach areas.”
Senator Yoslyn G. Sigrah spoke on the issue of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and its impacts on women’s lives, including limitations on their participation in economic and political platforms, education and employment opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and autonomy over their own bodies and health, including sexual health.
Pohnpei State Senator Herolyn S. Movick discussed the importance of connecting Pacific regional frameworks to national institutions and mechanisms for gender. She shared that FSM has integrated gender into its laws and policies and has established a Gender Equality Policy. Senator Movick emphasized FSM’s commitment to a whole-of-government approach to mainstreaming gender across all sectors and called for regional cooperation, particularly in technical support, to ensure sustainable implementation and monitoring of gender goals in FSM.
Chief of Staff Mrs. Jane Chigiyal, who holds a key role in gender mainstreaming, advocated for the comprehensive dissemination of gender frameworks to assist government duty bearers at the national and state levels in integrating gender into their policies and programs. Her presence at the meetings reflected FSM’s commitment to advancing gender equality for sustainable development and economic growth.
The FSM delegation also paid a courtesy visit to President Hilda C. Heine of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The visit strengthened bilateral relations and underscored the importance of cooperation between the two countries.
The FSM Delegation also underscored the urgency of addressing cervical cancer in the region, advocating for increased support in financing the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
While the FSM delegation’s interventions covered each main agenda point, they were encapsulated in Secretary Marcus Samo’s statement: “Advancing gender equality is not only the right thing to do. It’s good for development, and it’s good for any country’s GDP. It is everybody’s business.” Secretary Samo called for greater investment in gender equality and development.
All members of the FSM Delegation played vital roles and left with a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of gender equality and development at both international and regional levels.
