Empowering Women’s Leadership Roles!
Much like the rest of the world, Chuuk is undergoing a paradigm shift in recognizing the importance of women in leadership roles. Women have traditionally been the backbone of the family, a role that has over time become a cause of injustice in today’s democratic government; today, many Chuukese men expect women to serve in subservient roles in the community. Clearly there is a need for an attitudinal and cultural change towards women’s leadership roles in the community. Women must be given the same opportunities to excel in leadership roles in the community. Young women in schools must be taught to value their leadership roles in the community. Likewise, young men must be taught to respect women.
Action Strategies:
- Establish a Northwest Women Leadership Commission comprising of women representatives from the three regions of Pattiw, Pafeng, and Namonweito to provide advise, establish policies, and engage in leadership opportunities to young women in schools.
- Establish a fully chartered non-governmental organization (NGO) specifically led by Northwest women to access international funds which empower women entrepreneurs, help women advance in their leadership roles, and provide mentorship to young women from the region.
- Partner with the Chuuk Women’s Council (CWC) to enable more involvement with outer island women’s issues.
- Provide training programs by women experts on family issues, economic opportunities, healthcare, and leadership.
Vid is an education consultant, web designer, social entrepreneur from Chuuk State in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). He earned his BA in communications from University of Guam, MA in school administration from University of San Francisco, and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) degree from University of Hawaii at Manoa. Vid lives in Northern California and works at the College of Professional & Global Education at San Jose State University. Previously, he worked at UC Santa Cruz, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Santa Clara University, and Xavier High School in Micronesia.