The Pacific region has one of the lowest levels of women’s representation in Parliament; Balance of Power (BOP) recognises that it is deeply entrenched norms, attitudes, and perceptions around concepts of women’s leadership legitimacy that are some of the biggest barriers to achieving improved gender balance and inclusion. BOP aims to work in innovative and strategic ways to shift the mindsets of voters to change this reality, sensitively navigating the complex socio-political economies of the countries in which we work – Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu.
We work through the values and culture of each specific context, bringing together partners who have the appetite to work as part of locally-led coalitions for reform. This involves recognising the critical role of men and important norm-influencing agents in the community, including leaders of faith-based organisations and of traditional governance structures, as well as the media. BOP ensures that it builds upon existing strengths and movements, as well as emerging ‘green shoots’ to influence attitudes and practices around the roles of women and men in leadership.
BOP is an investment that is explicitly using adaptive management and politically informed ways of working to influence change in areas where aid programs have habitually met with limited success. Through the depth and breadth of networks across its local team, BOP is able to leverage opportunities nimbly as they arise, navigating the complex dynamics of each country’s political economy. BOP’s learnings and increasing strategic influence across Vanuatu, Tonga, Fiji and at the regional level, aim to be a resource for other development cooperation initiatives seeking to work in more locally-led ways to contribute to gender equality in the Pacific.
Increasing visibility of women’s leadership and influencing perceptions of its legitimacy through the media and outreach campaigns
Balance of Power (BOP) is partnering with key media players in both Vanuatu and Tonga. This includes working with both countries’ broadcasting commissions and local film makers to influence the portrayal of women’s leadership across a range of media platforms. BOP is also exploring collaboration with other regional media networks.
Strengthening the influence of the Women in Leadership Coalition Tonga
With Balance of Power (BOP) support, the Women in Leadership Coalition – now called the Fi-e-Fi-a ‘a Fafine Tonga (FFFT) – has been revitalised to increase broad-based support for, and unified advocacy around, women’s leadership. A priority focus for the Coalition is the development of a roadmap for the introduction of Temporary Special Measures in political representation.
Addressing negative perceptions around women in political leadership and decision-making through research and targeted advocacy
Balance of Power (BOP) is working with local research partners and institutions to understand the specific reasons behind voters’ unwillingness to vote for women in Pacific contexts, and to use these findings to inform subsequent attitudinal change and advocacy campaigns accordingly. Partners include the University of South Pacific, Fiji National University, and the Tupou Tertiary Institute.
Influencing regional associations to integrate social norm change strategies in their gender-focused advocacy and coordination
Balance of Power (BOP) is supporting strategic regional organisations such as the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), the University of the South Pacific Students’ Association (USPSA), and the Pacific Islands Association of NGOs (PIANGO) to address critical regional challenges. This involves application of a social norm change lens over gender equality issues, including increasing women’s voice and agency as articulated in the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy.