14 Adolescent Representatives From Across The Pacific Call Themselves The Young Pasifika Wayfinders

‘We are the Young Pasifika Wayfinders’

Suva, Fiji 21 July 2025 – For the first time in the Pacific, 14 adolescent boys aged between 15 and 19 years have come together as theYoung Pasifika Wayfinders* to ensure that young people’s rights, empowerment, and voices across a wide range of issues are given the importance it strongly needs.

Launched and supported by UNICEF, the group will also provide advice and feedback on UNICEF Pacific’s work with and for adolescents - including policy, advocacy, programming, and overall strategy.

“We have been learning and discussing issues like mental health, cyberbullying, online safety, climate change, and gender stereotypes. We are looking at how these influence adolescents across the Pacific,” said 17-year-old, Tereora, from the Cook Islands. “We don’t just follow the tide - we shift it. We carry the strength of our ancestors and the hopes of our future. Every conversation, every step forward, helps create safer spaces for young people like us. The change starts with us, and we will not stop until our voices are heard, and our communities healed.”

In the Pacific, 40 per cent of the population are under 18 years of age. Yet, adolescent girls and boys do not always have access to safe spaces where they can voice their thoughts, influence policies, and create meaningful change.

Adolescence is a critical window for identity formation when values are shaped, and positive behaviours can be encouraged to challenge harmful norms. Engaging boys during this time can improve outcomes for women and girls. This approach recognizes boys’ unique needs and their power to influence change as peers - learning advocacy, respect, and responsibility to become role models who help shift the norms that drive inequality.

This month, members were tasked with co-designing an exciting new website design which is being created for boys and young men across the Pacific.

“Our first role as adolescent advisors was to a company called Evident, which is partnered with UNICEF. We are supporting them co-design a Pacific online platform,” said 17-year-old, John, from Fiji. “We shared our ideas on how popular culture - games, sports, and even music albums - could look if they reflected Pacific Island culture. Imagine popular online games with island settings and traditional designs. It was exciting to bring our perspectives into spaces that usually overlook us.”

The adolescent boys travelled from their home islands across the Pacific to meet in Fiji for the first time in May this year. They convened at their first activation workshop and worked together to co-design the group, their logo, motto, mission statement and what they stand for.

They also drafted their own social advocacy action plan to identify the ways they can raise awareness amongst peers and communities of the key issues facing adolescents in the Pacific. A key part of their shared vision of the group is to challenge stereotypes and redefine masculinity, for an equitable moana.

“As a young Pasifika Wayfinder, I speak from the heart, not just for myself, but for all my Pacific brothers. We are sons of the ocean, rooted in culture, tradition, and strength,” said 15-year-old, Alexander, from Fiji. “But behind the strength, many young people carry silent struggles - mental health battles, pressure from school and family, as well as the weight of trying to prove we are man-enough.”

In the coming months, the Young Pasifika Wayfinders will put their advocacy plans into action which will involve designing social media campaigns, collaborating with other youth movements, and organizing events with Pasifika adolescents in their home countries. These actions will help them to connect with the communities that they want to serve and get their input into the challenges they face and how the group can best support.

Notes

*Additional information:
Why engage adolescent boys on gender equality?

Adolescence is a critical time when values and behaviours take shape. Engaging boys during this early helps foster respect, challenge harmful social norms, build awareness on gender equality and promote healthy, equitable relationships. There is a growing evidence base globally which indicates that intervention during this ‘window of opportunity’ is one of the most effective GBV prevention measures. During this age group when boys understand and support gender equality, they become allies and advocates. Boys can also play a key role in holding their peers accountable and encourage and inspire meaningful action. By using and sharing their power and privilege, boys can shift the dominant social norms and expectations of gender, masculinity and challenge patriarchal beliefs, practices and structures that drive inequality between men and women.

Is UNICEF also working with adolescent girls and consulting them on gender equality?

Yes, UNICEF’s priority target group for programmatic intervention across all areas of work (WASH, Education, Health, Nutrition, Child Protection, Social Policy) is adolescent girls. This is because girls are disproportionately less able to fulfil their rights and are extremely impacted by ongoing effects of gender inequality, patriarchal systems, and harmful gender norms.

Why does UNICEF consult with boys and girls separately?

UNICEF consults with boys and girls separately and together to identify gender-specific needs, perspectives, and experiences. Separate consultations also ensure children have safe spaces where they can share their honest thoughts and opinions on sensitive topics. Ultimately, this strategy promotes more inclusive and effective development programs tailored to the unique needs of boys and girls.

What the group is not:

This group is not a boys’ club or a boys/men’s rights group. It is not an attempt to ‘balance’ any support as it is based on the understanding that the burden of violence and discrimination falls heavily on women and girls. It does however recognize that boys have specific needs and can be important allies to improve outcomes for women and girls. The members are not ‘male champions’ or leaders. They will be sensitized in gender equality, advocacy and ‘allyship’ to support them to become positive role models within their peer groups.

About UNICEF:
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

For more information about UNICEF Pacific and its work for children, follow UNICEF Pacific on Twitter and Facebook

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