The Tropical Islands of Vanuatu Have a Special Place for Pigs in the Local General Elections

Hilary Clinton, through her untiring efforts and fortitude, has become an icon for women to enter the higher echelons of politics in the United States.

It is evident that the battle for Vice-President could well be fought in the female arena.

Long has it been said that that ‘the female hand that rocks the cradle rocks the nation’. Once again this may be proven to be true in the 21st Century political arena. More and more women are mobilizing in favor for female candidates in the USA presidential election.

According to political writer Douglas Drenkow, for Obama to succeed in the polls, he should consider electing a woman for Vice-President. This should lessen the impact should McCain choose to follow suit.

A world apart, the South Pacific Island Paradise of Vanuatu, is undeterred by the 21st Century trends.

One time voted in 2006 as the “Happiest Country on the Earth”. This small tropical island thrives on a heavily male dominant society, whereby it is a rarity for women to acquire the high rankings of chiefly, or political status.

The Shepherds group is a small group of islands in Vanuatu archipelago of 83, that acknowledges the female acquisition of chiefly status through the matrilineal lineage system, either by birth or matrimonial rights.

Therefore, the unprecedented move by the Vanuatu Council of Chiefs to acknowledge the late Grace Molisa, from the island of Ambae as a personage of high status in the cultural and political arena has elevated women high up the cultural and political ladder, is a stepping stone for women entering into the political sphere.

The only other woman to receive high chiefly status, from Paul Tahi, the Chairman to the Vanuatu National Council of Chiefs, is Ms Jenny Ligo from Ambae. Jenny is the niece of the late Grace Molisa.

As former CEO of the Vanuatu National Council of Women, Jenny was, in 2007, bestowed this prestigious status after performing a grueling pig clubbing ceremony, to commemorate her marriage to her husband, Joe Ligo. Jenny had to club eleven pigs to their death.

Jenny is the South Pacific mirror of the Hilary Clinton legacy. Not only does Ms Ligo have the support of the Chiefs, but Ambaean women are mobilizing for her candidature in the upcoming Vanuatu general election. This came only after Jenny ceremoniously clubbed another eleven pigs to their death, in order to have the right to enter the arena of politics.

Voted the “Happiest Country on the Earth” in 2006, Vanuatu people with their deep cultural and traditional societies rely on three basic elements to ensure healthy living. Namely, Romance, Adventure and the sense of Security in their Freedom of Choice.

Romance and Adventure are the easiest achievable elements, in the ‘must see’ travel adventure destination of Vanuatu. Yet there is uncertainty in the lives of today’s younger female generation with regards to the Security of Freedom of Choice.

Free education is but a dream in Vanuatu and in the absence of a government social welfare program, what little money is generated, is invested in educating the boys.

The harsh reality is, a woman’s destiny lies in her own hands. Etched deep within, is their rich cultural norms and value, yet a vast majority lack any form of qualification.

As islanders living under $1 per day, young girls miss out on the precious opportunity to become educated. As peer pressure of the 21st Century escalates around them, young girls may find themselves in a life scarring situation. This was the case recently, when a 16 year old girl was attacked by two youths, as she was walking home from work.

The Vanuatu Labor Law prohibits underage employments. Without proper education most rural communities are ignorant of the legal ramifications.

Younger generations are demanding the right to an education and to prove that they too can become future leaders of their Lesser Developed Country. Vanuatu has one of the fastest growing birth rates in the South Pacific.

The statistics have changes little since 1999. The government admitted in late 2007 that it does not have the finances to provide free education for the country.

The terrifying consequences of this are:
· only 55.8% of Vanuatu kids will get to grade 6
· of those only 18.2% will go to high school
· 26% will never go to school at all.

YouMe Support Foundation is one of the few charities raising funds for these educationally challenged youths. This Child Trust Fund provides non-repayable high school education grants to the children of the Outer Islands. Children who will never have the opportunity to see the inside of a high school classroom.

Through her courageous performance of the pig clubbing ceremony and the acquisition of a recognized prestigious status, Jenny Ligo has become the icon of change in the lives of these far flung communities.

You can find out more about these beautiful people and this fascinating Happiest Country on Earth. You too can make a difference in their lives, through a Blue Moon Opportunity.

Through a combined effort, young girls will be safely educated and given the opportunity to take their rightful place in their emerging world.