Woman in Supa Defines Financial Inclusion in the Pacific

The Women in Super (WIS) initiative, under the Pacific Islands Investment Forum (PIIF), is transforming financial futures for Pacific women.

Melisha Sindiwan, nasfund’s Regional Team Leader Marketing and WIS Chair, leads the charge, driving gender equity in superannuation to empower women across the region.

PIIF, representing 20 superannuation, provident, trust, and sovereign funds across 12 nations and 1.6 million members, fosters collaboration to enhance financial security through sustainable investment and governance.

Launched in 2023, WIS addresses gender disparities in retirement benefits, building on a Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI) study that highlighted barriers like regulatory constraints and limited banking access.

Sindiwan outlined WIS vision, emphasizing three key goals for the next 2-3 years.

“We aim for all PIIF member organizations to consistently collect and utilize sex-disaggregated data in their reporting,” she said, targeting policy changes to close gender gaps in retirement savings by 2027.

The WIS also plans to roll out retirement literacy programs tailored for Pacific women, noting, “These initiatives will equip women with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their retirement income.”

For informal sector workers, WIS is developing innovative solutions: “We are committed to developing innovative approaches to include workers from the informal sector in superannuation systems,” she said, citing flexible contribution plans and digital platforms.

The 2025 WIS Survey revealed progress and challenges. “While 100% of funds now collect sex-disaggregated data, not all are utilizing it effectively,” Sindiwan observed, planning training to enhance data-driven decision-making.

She was surprised by advances in engaging informal sector workers through outreach, though “challenges such as regulatory constraints and limited banking access remain.” These insights are shaping WIS strategy for policy advocacy and capacity building.

To reach informal workers, WIS is exploring flexible contribution plans for irregular incomes, mobile banking for remote access, and community-led outreach.

“We’re conducting campaigns to educate informal workers about the importance of saving for retirement,” Sindiwan explained, aiming to boost participation.

The WIS approach is deeply rooted in Pacific culture. “As Pacific people, we are deeply rooted in our culture and traditions,” she said. “It is crucial to acknowledge our traditional landowners and cultures, as they unite us and shape our values.” By integrating Indigenous knowledge, WIS ensures superannuation systems resonate with communities, fostering trust.

The WIS initiative, launched at a 2024 Suva workshop uniting 12 funds from 11 countries, produced action plans and established the WIS Network and Steering Committee. The WIS is supported by the PIIF Board, fund leaders, and partners like FNPF, NZ Super Fund, and PSDI.