^{Tuesday 19th  June 2012, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Noumea}

Thirty representatives of women's civil society organisations in French Polynesia, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna and New Caledonia met in a regional workshop organised by the Union des Femmes Francophones d'Océanie (Union of Francophone Pacific Women – UFFO) held in Noumea, New Caledonia from 10 to 14 June. The objectives of the workshop were to build capacity to conduct gender analysis of poverty, understand that gender inequalities are hampering economic development and the well-being of Pacific Island people, and identify strategies to support women's economic empowerment.

Convinced of the critical role women from civil society organisations can play in socio-economic and democratic development, the Human Development Programme of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community works with UFFO in developing capacity to identify gender issues and influence national policies, and sharing experiences at the regional level. 

UFFO`s members will  carry on gender analysis work in their communities to identify gender-specific impacts of hardship, malnutrition, economic crisis and high cost of living and will propose strategies to reduce gender inequalities and support women's economic empowerment.

 For more information, please contact: Brigitte Leduc  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

or visit the SPC Website: www.spc.int.