Women in development in the South Pacific: barriers and opportunities: papers presented at a conference held in Vanuatu from 11 to 14 August 1984

Abstract

In the slowly modernizing countries of the Pacific there is a growing awareness that, unless resources are used more efficiently and growth accelerated, ‘primitive affluence’ could become modern poverty. In the maintenance of living standards in the Pacific, and in the development process, women have a disproportionately onerous role, and receive but a small share of the benefits. In the law, the field of education, in the traditional economy, in business and in politics, women have low status – reflecting both their traditional cultures and the roles thrust on them by Western influences. Small countries cannot afford to ignore the resources of any section of the community, let alone half the population. The contributors to this set of conference papers review aspects of the current situation in the Pacific island nations and provide some policy guidelines for the future.