The Secretariat of the Pacific Community in New Caledonia has organised its biggest celebration of today, International Women's Day, called "Twice the Power"
The Beijing Platform for Action highlighted that women make up half the population, and their equal participation in making decisions is crucial to strengthening democracy in the region.
A spokeswoman for the SPC Nicole Gooch says the SPC has organised workshops, performances and a charity auction to mark the commemorative day.
"We are really just trying to highlight the fact that women in business or that women in politics still have a really low representation in the Pacific and we really need a concerted effort from governments and from all levels of society really to act towards change in the Pacific."
