Fiji, Sept. 17 -- Pacific Islands Forum Leaders have recommitted to gender equality, making it a permanent feature of their agenda and calling for stronger inclusion of women's voices in decision-making across the region.

"Leaders recommitted to leading national and regional advocacy efforts for gender equality as aligned to the political commitments in the revitalised Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration (PLGED), including championing the engagement of men and boys in transforming social norms to advance women's rights," the communique states.

Leaders endorsed Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and Early Childhood Development (ECD) as standing agenda items under People-Centred Development, a core pillar of the 2050 Stra...