In the words of Jennifer Kausei: “The community came together and encouraged me to stand for election”

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Jennifer Kausei is an elected Municipal Councillor in the Freshwota Ward, Port Vila in Vanuatu.  She joined the two-day intergenerational dialogue “Waves of Change: Pacific Women Lead Across Generations in Fiji” aimed at advancing women’s participation in leadership and decision-making and transforming gender norms which took place on 30 September and 1 October 2025 in Nadi, Fiji.

From community to local governance

I come from the island of Tanna, by the sea, but I grew up in Port Vila, Vanuatu. I graduated in journalism, language, and literature at the University of the South Pacific and later earned a diploma in project management. 

My journey into leadership began long before politics, back in high school, when I was already helping out in my community. I grew up in a place called Freshwota, where the local structure of chiefs, women leaders, and youth groups guided community life. My elders would ask me to take notes, arrange meetings, and draft letters. Without realizing it, I was learning the foundations of leadership, including organization, listening, and community service.

Politics wasn’t part of my plan. But years later, the community I grew up in came together and encouraged me to stand for election. They remembered the contributions I had made over time and believed I could represent them. My visibility as a journalist and TV presenter also helped. In a small town like Port Vila, people recognize you when they see you on the news, and that builds familiarity and trust.

Navigating leadership structures in Vanuatu

What made my transition into leadership smoother was the relationships I had built over many years. I had worked closely with chiefs, youth groups, and women’s networks, mobilizing communities, organizing fundraising, and responding when the community called. But it doesn’t happen overnight. It can take years, even half a lifetime, to build the recognition and credibility that make your voice heard. Sometimes, you share an idea at a meeting, and it gets overlooked, so when that happens, it’s important not to give up. Find another platform, maybe the youth group, the women’s network, or a community Storian, where your idea can gain traction. Leadership is about persistence, not position.

My background in media taught me the power of communication and accuracy. As a journalist, I learned that people trust you when you give them clear, factual information. That trust followed me into politics. When I attend community meetings, people often ask me for updates on national issues — and I take that responsibility seriously. It means I must always stay informed and careful about what I share.

Leadership has also taught me the importance of conducting myself with respect, especially as a woman. In Vanuatu, cultural protocols shape how we interact as they carry expectations. Knowing when to speak and when to listen is vital. As a woman in leadership, I’m constantly aware that my actions reflect not only on me but also on my family, and vice-versa. So my children understand that, too. In the age of social media, everything we say in public can land online and at the same time how we behave online matters just as much as what we do in public.

Confidence, patience and collaboration

To young women aspiring to leadership, I always say: build your confidence. Every mistake teaches you something. And leadership is also about working in partnership with others, including men allies, elders, and community structures. Progress takes time, patience, and collaboration.

There will be moments when you feel discouraged. In my years as a journalist, I faced public criticism, sometimes unfair or personal. It hurt. There were nights when I cried in private, but I learned to rise again, stronger. Social media can amplify negativity, but it can also teach resilience. 

Across generations, we can learn from each other, elders, peers, and youth alike. The young people for instance bring new energy and technological skills and together, we can create lasting change.

The Convening took place under the WYDE | Women’s Leadership initiative, funded by the European Union, which is a collaborative global effort aimed at advancing women’s full and effective political participation and decision-making at all levels, especially those most often left furthest behind.

Note: These publications aim to stimulate a constructive debate on key issues of interest for advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. The views expressed by the individuals interviewed for the production of our editorial content do not necessarily reflect the official position of UN Women, the United Nations system agencies or the European Union.

Storian: Community storytelling practices in Vanuatu and the in Pacific in general.