Girls’ voices are shaping a brighter, more inclusive future
Tetra Tech International Development manages Vanuatu Australia Education Support Program (VAESP) on behalf of the Australian Government. The program’s central focus is on supporting the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) in improving education in Vanuatu.
For International Day of the Girl Child, we spoke with MoET about girls’ empowerment, inclusive education, and its transformative potential.
Today, 11 October, MoET in Vanuatu joins the global community in celebrating the International Day of the Girl Child under this year’s theme, ‘Girls’ vision for the future.’ This theme emphasises the urgent need for action and highlights that girls’ voices are shaping a brighter and more inclusive future.
Today’s generation of girls faces unprecedented challenges
Climate change, conflict, poverty, and the rollback of hard-won gains for human rights and gender equality disproportionately affect girls, limiting their rights, choices and futures. Yet, in the face of these crises, girls continue to show remarkable courage, hope and resilience. They are raising their voices, calling for a world where every girl is protected, respected and empowered.
In Vanuatu, MoET is committed to fostering an inclusive education system that listens to and meets the needs of all girls, ensuring they receive the support, resources, and opportunities to realise their full potential. Through targeted initiatives aimed at gender equality in education, the Ministry is paving the way for a future where every girl in Vanuatu can thrive.
A range of initiatives encouraging gender-inclusive education has been developed across Vanuatu’s education sector. These include providing scholarships for girls in rural and remote areas, ensuring gender equality in curriculum resources, prioritising female students in vocational training, conducting gender awareness activities and implementing women leadership programs that inspire girls to become change-makers in their communities. These efforts aim to break down the barriers that limit girls’ access to education and opportunities, ensuring their voices and vision are central to shaping the future.
MoET’s Director General, Mr. Bergmans Iati, is committed to empowering girls
“On this International Day of the Girl Child, MoET reaffirms its dedication to creating an inclusive education system that empowers every girl in Vanuatu to fulfil her potential”, said the Director General.
“Girls are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but they are also the leaders of today. By listening to their voices and investing in their education, we are building a future that is brighter, more equitable and filled with opportunity for all.”
The potential of over 1.1 billion girls worldwide, including more than 48,000 girl students from early childhood centres to secondary schools in Vanuatu, is limitless. With the right investments and partnerships, their leadership will have a transformative impact on families, communities and economies throughout Vanuatu.
In collaboration with communities, schools, and development partners, MoET is committed to realising Vanuatu’s National Sustainable Development Plan (2016-2030) in line with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This commitment guarantees equal access to quality education through well-managed schools, reflecting MoET’s dedication to empowering educators and strengthening Vanuatu’s education system.
About the Ministry of Education and Training
MoET is Vanuatu’s largest service deliverer and employer. On behalf of the Government of Vanuatu, it is responsible for fulfilling the educational objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals and international agreements such as Education for All and ensuring respect for children’s rights. These responsibilities include the Government of Vanuatu’s commitment to achieving universal completion of primary school, improving literacy and developing skills for the country’s productive rural and urban sectors. MoET is guided by three strategic goals:
- Access: To increase equitable access to education for all people at all levels of education in Vanuatu
- Quality: To improve the quality of education in Vanuatu
- Management: To enhance and strengthen the management of the education system in Vanuatu.
MoET is actively responding to the challenges of a fast-growing population, increasing demands and expectations from parents, students, communities, and the formal economy while also managing the impacts of natural disasters, such as tropical cyclones, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and pandemics like COVID-19.
Read more
- About the Ministry of Education and Training, Government of Vanuatu
- Vanuatu Australia Education Support Program
- Tetra Tech’s Education services
