Benefits of joining PGWNET

PGWNet brings the different national groups and individuals of the Pacific region closer in their attempts to improve the status of women because it:

• encourages national, regional and international networking among women across a wide range of disciplines, ages and occupations;
• provides opportunities for members to support each other in advocacy on matters of education and peace and human security;
• gives valuable encouragement to fledgling graduate groups in this region and supports them towards achieving full NFA membership of the International Federation of University Women;
• gives support for Pacific Island students studying away from home;
• offers understanding and friendship among individual graduates throughout the Pacific region and the world, reduces feelings of isolation and provides letters of introduction to enrich travel;
• provides opportunities to become better informed on regional issues affecting women: in particular, raises awareness and strengthens the monitoring of implementation of UN agreements such as CEDAW (Convention to End All Forms of Discrimination Against Women); Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1888; UNCROC (UN Convention on the Rights of the Child); Millennium Development Goals;
• provides a regional link to IFUW which itself has strong connections with the United Nations and its specialised agencies such as UNESCO, UNICEF
• offers access to IFUW-linked funds for development programmes, international fellowship and grants, and activities such as IFUW Conferences.

Conference for the Association of Tonga's University Women
with the theme “Maximising opportunities and overcoming challenges for women and girls”