1 Dec 2014

Women in Vanuatu face challenges in police force

5:26 pm on 1 December 2014

The Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police Women's Advisory Network says women in the Vanuatu police force continue to face discrimination.

The network's programme manager, Melissa Northam, says there is a lack of promotion and opportunity for women in the force.

Ms Northam says there is no reason why women cannot hold executive or senior roles within the Vanuatu Police.

"Policing is a very male-dominated occupation and it's also just about understanding so a lot of it is about understanding that there needs to be equality and that women, in order to make sure our communities are safe, need to play an active part in that."

The network's program manager, Melissa Northam.

The Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police Women's Advisory Network includes 21 countries and aims to promote the role of women in policing.