A diverse nation where women are fighting to establish their voice

The nation of Vanuatu stretches across 1,300km of the South Pacific Ocean – covering 83 individual islands where a population of over 300,000 speak more than 110 distinct languages. Since gaining independence in 1980, the country has emerged as one of the fastest growing economies in the Pacific – in large part due to foreign investment in tourism and land development. Vanuatu’s economy, however, remains predominantly agriculture-based, with around 70% of people living in rural areas earning a living through subsistence farming, fishing, and the production of cash crops.

Within Vanuatu society, Christianity and cultural traditions – referred to locally as kastom – continue to play an integral part in daily life. These traditions can vary greatly across communities with some, for example, following matrilineal descent rules while others abiding by patriarchal traditions.

A volcanic archipelago made of rugged mountains, lush jungles and world-renowned coral reefs, one of the country’s biggest threats in the 21st century is climate change. With frequent cyclones, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, it currently ranks number 1 on the World Risk Index of countries most impacted by natural disasters. The effect of this was seen in 2020 when Cyclone Harold hit the north of Vanuatu, destroying entire islands as it left parts of the country without communication, electricity or access to water, food and shelter for days.

With Cyclone Harold being the second category-5 storm to hit the nation in five years, Vanuatu is already experiencing first-hand the reality of the climate crisis. It is no surprise then that the island nation has been at the forefront of the fight for climate justice, most recently through their push for the International Court of Justice to protect vulnerable nations from climate change.