Women Ministers, senior government representatives and civil society groups have gathered in Suva to discuss progress made on regional and global commitments made on gender equality.

The theme for the 13th triennial Conference of Pacific Women and the 6th Pacific Ministers for Women meeting is ‘Pacific Women’s Economic Empowerment’.

Minister for Women, Mereseini Vuniwaqa, says they aim for an outcome which is Pacific oriented.

“Investing in women’s economic empowerment sets a direct path towards gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusive economic growth. Women make enormous contribution to economies – whether in businesses, on farms, as entrepreneurs or as employees, or by doing unpaid care work at home – but they also remain disproportionately affected by systemic and socio economic barriers including access to finance, discriminations, social norms and exploitation.”

President of Marshall Islands, Hilda Heine, says policies and legislation should be in line with SDG 5 – which talks about gender equality.