Sport for development partners reiterate commitment to inclusion in Vanuatu

Partners of the Australian Government’s Team Up program in Vanuatu have renewed their commitment to inclusion in sport following a three-day Gender and Disability Inclusion Workshop held in Port Vila. 

The workshop brought together 31 sports leaders, coaches, athletes and community advocates, providing a space to challenge stereotypes, promote equity in sport and build practical skills to create more inclusive sporting environments. 

Over the three days, participants explored how gender inequality, unconscious bias and disability stereotypes affect access to sport, and identified practical strategies to make sporting spaces more respectful, inclusive and transformative. 

Para-athlete Jacklynda Molidu, from Vanuatu Paralympic Committee shared how the workshop deepened her understanding of discrimination and inclusive practice.  

“Through this workshop I learned what abuse and gender discrimination is, and now I understand it better and I’m able to identify the bad behaviour. I also found the training on unconscious bias interesting, as we sometimes do and say things without realising, we may be discriminatory or causing harm.”

Terry Newman, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer with Volley4Change program, said the training broadened his understanding of gender and disability stereotypes. 

“This training really broadened my perspective and educated me on gender and disability stereotypes. I now understand how qualities we think are ‘masculine’ and associate with men only are also qualities that women have. We are biased in our thinking about it because we only apply them to men and give them more advantage.”

Team Up partners reflected on their role as advocates within their programs and communities. In addition to the six Team Up partner programs - Just Play Vanuatu, Volley 4 Change, AFL Vanuatu Plei for Jenis, Appeal against Violence, Swim Splash & Survive, Hook In4 Health, the training also included Play for Equity grantee Vanuatu Chess Federation and representatives from the Vanuatu Paralympic Committee, Vanuatu Women’s Centre, Vanuatu National Olympic Committee and VPride.

Sharline Sarai of the Vanuatu Women’s Center said the participants’ engagement was a strong indicator of progress.

“Participants demonstrated strong willingness to learn as they actively participated in the discussions. The kind of questions raised showed they have gained deeper understanding of gender-based violence and its impact. It is encouraging to see how openly they reflected on the issues raised and how they are ready to apply these lessons in their daily lives and sport.”

“Thank you to Team Up for continuing to work together with us, for collaborating with us over the years through which we have formed close working relationships with sport organisations to influence positive attitude, strengthen respect, and model safe behaviour for young people across Vanuatu,” she added.

The workshop used interactive activities, scenario-based discussions and group reflections to explore gender and disability stereotypes in sport, media bias and harmful social norms. Participants also examined how sporting cultures may reinforce gender stereotypes, and strategies for challenging these norms withing their own programs.

Team Up’s Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and Safeguarding Advisor, Roshika Deo said she has seen partners’ confidence and capability increase with each workshop.

“With every training our partners’ knowledge on gender and disability inclusion grows and we see this in the quality of discussions and how they deliver their programme activities. The discussions on gender norms and stereotypes further empowered partners to continuously assess their activities and events ensuring barriers are addressed and necessary adaptations are made. The different programs have come up with 1-2 actions around gender and disability inclusion, and we hope to see them put it into play in the near future.”

Team Up programs operate across community, school and sporting settings, using sports to bring people together, champion inclusion and create opportunities. Varying by country, from initiatives addressing gender-based violence to inclusive programs for people with and without disabilities to participate together, and leadership pathways for women on and off the field.