Gender is among the planning matrices under the FSM Strategic Development Plan, or SDP, which identified priority issues for work in the FSM from 2004 to 2023.
The Kosrae event is the first national women conference after the adoption of the 2004 FSM SDP and the first major gathering of the nation’s women councils after a 10-year absence.
The first lady of the host state, Josefa A. Weilbacher, said the conference provided the opportunity for FSM women to “discuss many of the critical issues facing women in the nation.”
Noting the various issues, she also went on to acknowledge the many success stories of women in the FSM and highlighted the conference as the “occasion for us to share our experiences and knowledge that would allow us to learn from each other culturally.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by the keynote speaker for the opening ceremony, Vice President Alik L. Alik, who referred to the conference as the needed forum for FSM women to reassess their changing environment and make the necessary adjustments.
“We have to recognize that the traditional systems and social safety nets we use to enjoy have shifted. We have to take initiatives and measures to adapt to our changing environment,” Alik told the participants.
He emphasized that progress cannot be shouldered by the government alone, it requires the collective input of all stakeholders, “it requires each of us to do our part whether in our own organizations, communities or families; we have to first understand our roles, what we want and how we can make a difference.”
Alik urged the conference to make necessary policy recommendations that would encourage cooperation from government and sectors of civil society to work together with women so that “entire communities may benefit from the empowerment of women.”
He also recognized the activities undertaken by the women councils and associations in each of the four states and commended the various initiatives undertaken by the women and challenged them to expand their innovative ideas utilizing their strengths and expertise.
The conference was officially opened by Kosrae Gov. Robert J. Weilbacher who encouraged the participants to rationalize the roles of men and women today to make a difference. He underlined the fact that while the FSM has taken great strides to even the gender field, “more still needs to be done.”
Colorful and lively delegations of women from the four states gathered at Kosrae High School in Tofol for the weeklong conference joined by presenters and representatives of the five governments, development partners, regional and international organizations and an eclectic range of participants from the civil society.
Ambassador Shoji Sato of the Japan Embassy joined the Kosrae conference to hand over a donation of $97,000 for the Chuuk Women’s Council Multi-Purpose Center.
