Article | 02 Avr, 2019

International Women's Day 2019

International Women's Day is celebrated annually on March 8. International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women - while also marking a call to action for accelerating gender balance.

IWD 2019       Photo: IUCN Oceania

With this year's campaign theme: #BalanceforBetter we asked IUCN Oceania female staff how they have created gender balance at their work place/community/home. These are some of their stories!

 

Kate       Photo: Kate Davey
  Full name: Kate Davey 

Year started in IUCN ORO: 2015

What has been the highlight of working in IUCN ORO? Living a working in the Pacific is my highlight.  It is always a privilege to be welcomed into a culture and country different than you own. 

How have you created a gender balance at your work place/community/home? Many many different ways. But at home by being a role model to my children, who everyday see there mum and dad equally try to balance the life of working parents. 
Varea       Photo: IUCN Oceania
  Full name: Varea Romanu

Year started in IUCN ORO: 2015

What has been the highlight of working in IUCN ORO? Getting to be a part of the Team from ORO at the WCC in Hawaii

How have you created a gender balance at your work place/community/home? Children are great learners so at home we work on excluding male or female defined responsibilities or gender roles. I feel it’s important for our son to see that his father does the dishes and cooks, I plan our weekly budget and we both help out when moving heavy furniture etc. and to understand that as a male he isn’t exempted from certain responsibilities neither is he restricted to others.
    Full name: Leanne Fernandes

Year started in IUCN ORO:  2014

What has been the highlight of working in IUCN ORO? The great people – both in ORO and in the countries I am working in.

How have you created a gender balance at your work place/community/home? In our recruitment, in our partnerships and in our meetings we have gender balance by ensuring our approach and systems enable and support participation and inclusion of women. Evidence: 3 women and 2 men on the team; female Directors and Permanent Secretaries/Director Generals we are working with in each country; >50% membership in project steering committees and >50% participation of women in meetings sponsored by our work in most countries.
Clea       Photo: IUCN Oceania
  Full name: Clea Farrow

Year started in IUCN ORO: 2018

What has been the highlight of working in IUCN ORO? The very warm welcome I received upon joining the team, and the inclusive, respectful and democratic way that IUCN ORO operates.

How have you created a gender balance at your work place/community/home? I have been fortunate to almost always work in places that actively support gender balance, but I try to encourage my female colleagues to share their insights and opinions, and put themselves forward for opportunities as readily as the fellas do!
    Full name: Evia Tavanavanua

Year started in IUCN ORO: 2017

What has been the highlight of working in IUCN ORO? Learning the mechanics of how an environmental NGO operates, and how it integrates & synergises with other agencies, bodies, groups and affiliations.

How have you created a gender balance at your work place/community/home? All genders are included in our meetings and work functions.  We are have a work culture that promotes cultural diversity and gender inclusiveness.
Maria       Photo: Maria Muavesi
  Full name: Maria Goreti Muavesi

Year started in IUCN ORO: 2013

What has been the highlight of working in IUCN ORO? IUCN allowed me to pursue my Master’s studies in Australia in 2018 by giving me a full year study leave. This indicated the change happening in IUCN ORO by supporting staff to pursue professional development that is not only short term but also long term and at the same time providing job security upon return.  

How have you created a gender balance at your work place/community/home? At home, my husband and I are partners regardless of who is making more money from our respective occupations. We try as much as possible to say ‘ours’ instead of mine in the context of ‘our home’, ‘our bank accounts’, ‘our children’, etc., as we recognize that one employment is not superior over the other and one person’s need is not above the others. We try as much as possible to strike a balance in every aspect of our family with the hope that it will trickle into our work place and the community that we are involved in.