The first-ever National Women's Forum in Vanuatu is under way with 100 delegates spending this week mapping out an action plan for women's development to 2011, the Suva-based regional news agency Pacnews reported Tuesday.

According to Pacnews, Minister of Justice and Social Welfare Isabelle Donald Sikawonuta, who is also one of the two female MPs in Vanuatu's 52-member parliament, said it is an historic occasion because it is the first time so many women will work together to develop policies for the advancement of women of Vanuatu.

The aim of the Forum is to review and update the 1996 Beijing Platform for Action for Vanuatu, which is called Working Together for Women.

However, Director of Vanuatu's Department of Women's Affairs Hilda Taleo said progress in making the plan a reality has been lacking, because the government commitment has been mostly on paper and not transformed into action.

Coordinator of the Vanuatu Women's center Merilyn Tahi was calling for a firm commitment to the advancement and support of women from Vanuatu's leaders.

Source: Xinhua