24 Nov, 2021, PIF-HQ, SUVA-- The heads of the nine Council of Regional Organizations of the Pacific (CROP) agencies have today launched a regional network to help boost and support women in regional leadership roles. Today marks the formal beginning of the CROP Women of the Wave (WOW) Network.
The WOW Network aims to support and inspire women in the international governmental organizations of the Pacific to further their career and leadership aspirations, and to expand the connections and opportunities in a sector where numbers of women in senior positions are lagging.
Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum and Chair of the CROP, Mr Henry Puna, has welcomed the WOW Network. “We know women are significantly under-represented in leadership positions across our Blue Pacific region, whether in parliament, government, the private sector or at the community level. This is also an issue for our regional agencies, and I look forward to the benefits of more diversity and representation which WOW will bring to our effectiveness at all levels.”
Heads of CROP agencies acknowledge that promoting women’s empowerment and gender equality within their organisations benefits how they deliver technical support to Pacific Island countries. The Network strengthens this and provides a critical platform for women within CROP to share, support, rise and fulfil their leadership and professional aspirations.
The first event today is a joint initiative from the WOW network, led by the Pacific Islands Development Programme (PIDP) and featuring former PIFS Secretary General, Dame Meg Taylor as the guest speaker.
Webinar host and Interim Director of the Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP), Dr Mary Hattori said: “the WOW Network will be an inclusive, informal, inspiring, and organic network, open to all women working in CROP agencies and responsive to their needs and requests. The Network will include events, talanoa and mentoring. We encourage all CROP women to get involved, and shape the Network.”--ENDS
LIKE THE WOW NETWORK ON FACEBOOK
SIGN UP FOR THE PIDP-WOW WEBINAR, 24th November 2021
EMAIL our PIF WOW focal point: wow@forumsec.org
