Participation in the 10th FSM Women’s Conference
2025/10/13
The 10th FSM Women’s Conference was held in Chuuk State from September 28 to October 3, 2025. Ms. Aki Ito from the Embassy of Japan attended the conference. The theme of the conference is “Kieki – Woven Mat” which symbolizes the strength, unity, and collective efforts of women in the FSM and beyond.
On the first day of the conference, the Honorable Alexander Narruhn, Chuuk State Governor, delivered the welcoming remarks, followed by special remarks given by the Honorable Chairlady Dr. Perpetua Konman, who was elected as the first female Congresswomen in the FSM Congress. The keynote address was delivered by the Honorable Aren B. Palik, Vice President of FSM.
The conference provided a platform for the diverse women’s group and the Women’s Councils from all four states (Chuuk State, Yap State, Kosrae State, and Pohnpei State) to discuss the dialogue focused on gender equality, women’s and girls’ rights, and empowering women and girls through education, training, economy, and culture. The dialogue also covered the important key elements on women in decision making, women and health, gender-based violence (GBV), and women and climate change.
During the five day conference, representatives of inspiring women and girls delivered speeches, presentations, and shared life stories on the issues and challenges they have been facing and the concerns in their communities and the society worldwide.
On the last day of the conference, the FSM National Gender Equality Policy was launched, and the 11th Women’s Conference was handed over to the next host – Pohnpei Women’s Council.
The Government of Japan has been supportive and encourages the gender equality and empowerment of women and girls, which is part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and one of the major agenda of the Strategic Development Plan (SDP) of the FSM.
In 2010, the Embassy of Japan in the FSM funded the Shinobu M. Poll Memorial Center as a multi-purpose facility to promote women’s independence and local population’s health in Chuuk State. In 2011, the Embassy funded the multi-purpose facility to promote women’s independence in Yap State.
The Embassy of Japan continues to support female empowerment in the FSM.
On the first day of the conference, the Honorable Alexander Narruhn, Chuuk State Governor, delivered the welcoming remarks, followed by special remarks given by the Honorable Chairlady Dr. Perpetua Konman, who was elected as the first female Congresswomen in the FSM Congress. The keynote address was delivered by the Honorable Aren B. Palik, Vice President of FSM.
The conference provided a platform for the diverse women’s group and the Women’s Councils from all four states (Chuuk State, Yap State, Kosrae State, and Pohnpei State) to discuss the dialogue focused on gender equality, women’s and girls’ rights, and empowering women and girls through education, training, economy, and culture. The dialogue also covered the important key elements on women in decision making, women and health, gender-based violence (GBV), and women and climate change.
During the five day conference, representatives of inspiring women and girls delivered speeches, presentations, and shared life stories on the issues and challenges they have been facing and the concerns in their communities and the society worldwide.
On the last day of the conference, the FSM National Gender Equality Policy was launched, and the 11th Women’s Conference was handed over to the next host – Pohnpei Women’s Council.
The Government of Japan has been supportive and encourages the gender equality and empowerment of women and girls, which is part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and one of the major agenda of the Strategic Development Plan (SDP) of the FSM.
In 2010, the Embassy of Japan in the FSM funded the Shinobu M. Poll Memorial Center as a multi-purpose facility to promote women’s independence and local population’s health in Chuuk State. In 2011, the Embassy funded the multi-purpose facility to promote women’s independence in Yap State.
The Embassy of Japan continues to support female empowerment in the FSM.
Over 417 participants attended including the diplomatic corps & international organizations
Speech by Vice President Aren B. Palik
Woven Mat Ceremony
Chuuk Women’s Council group singing and dancing
Mrs. Emeliana J. Musrasrik-Carl of Pohnpei Women’s Council
Performance at the reception dinner