Lucille Chute is a community volunteer with Transcend Oceania in Labasa on Fiji’s second island of Vanua Levu. “Ten years ago, when I was 19, I began this interesting journey of engaging with rural women and women of all communities. What inspired me, along with my grandmother and mother and women leaders like them, was to listen to these women’s stories and seeing their passion.” With regard to the recent crises impacting Fiji.

 “During COVID-19 and Tropical Cyclone Harold, some challenges faced by rural and coastal women was a lack of access to information and communication. Food security and access to health services was also a priority, especially for pregnant women, persons with disabilities or elderly women, who all require regular access to clinics.”

 

Shifting the Power Coalition is a feminist network of humanitarian organizations in the Pacific region, committed to promoting women’s leadership and inclusion of disabled people in humanitarian action. Since 2016, the Coalition has brought together 13 organizations across six countries to ensure that women take their rightful place at the head of emergency responses, and that the needs of women, girls and vulnerable members of the communities are at the heart of these responses. The work of the Coalition is supported by a network of national focal points. Find out more about the Shifting the Power Coalition via Official Website or follow Facebook Page