Resource library

Drawing on the experiences of more than 100 Pacific women judicial officers, the report maps women’s representation across Pacific courts and examines appointments, promotion, professional development, workload, workplace safety and conditions. It also documented strong support among women judicial officers for a Pacific regional network, which has since become PAWJO.

Drawing particularly on research in Kiribati and Vanuatu, this report asks what women in rural and remote communities actually want and need from justice. It examines state, customary and religious justice processes and highlights the need to design justice responses around women’s safety, priorities and desired outcomes.

This report examines women’s participation and leadership within local justice systems and identifies practical pathways for strengthening their roles as decision-makers. It considers customary and church leadership, local courts, policing and community organisations, with particular attention to the experiences of Kiribati and Vanuatu.

Published in October 2026, the final report brings the research together, connecting women-centred justice, gender balance within Pacific courts, women’s leadership in local justice processes, and the findings from Kiribati and Vanuatu. It sets out recommendations for more inclusive, culturally responsive and accessible Pacific justice systems.