Following the International Women’s Day (IWD) theme frame: “Give to Gain,” BLP spoke to two Private Sector Organisation (PSO) partners led by women. We wanted to celebrate their leadership styles and acknowledge what they give through their work and how this represents significant gains for their countries.
Today we move the spotlight to Wilmaraia Sinumila, General Manager of the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (VCCI), about the 2026 IWD theme, ‘Give to Gain’, and the Chamber she leads.
The IWD theme, ‘Give to Gain’ is about encouraging a mindset of generosity and collaboration, and promoting how people, communities and organisations can support women to thrive through opportunity, support, generosity and reciprocity.
With a new VCCI Strategic Plan launched two weeks ago, VCCI has a clear direction for a delivery approach to support the private sector develop and grow. “We want to be at the forefront of policy changes and develop higher and deeper engagement with the government. We want to become a highly valued partner to the government so that together we can affect a greater ease of doing business in Vanuatu,” said Wilmaraia.
In February, VCCI signed a 5-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat to strengthen the entrepreneurial capabilities of women across Vanuatu. “It is a pilot programme to help micro, small and medium sized businesses – we see the challenges they face,” said Wilmaraia.
Wilmaraia says they run basic skills training for the private sector, with the majority of trainees women-led businesses that run these businesses as a means to sustain their families. Women are better at running businesses, and this is evident in micro, small and medium-sized businesses in the urban and rural areas. “It’s probably because they are used to perhaps running their homes. Culturally, there are challenges that stem from cultural and customary practices on a woman’s role in the community.”
Wilmaraia says VCCI has clear support for gender inclusion through its partnership with BLP. Vanuatu was the first market for the BLP programme. Since 2018, BLP has worked with the Vanuatu business community to develop a quality-assured Network of 21 local business advisors.
Businesses in Vanuatu have since invested over 400,000 NZD in business advice through this local Network of business advisors; this investment has been matched by a subsidy provided by the New Zealand government. This subsidy covers an average of 62% of the total cost of the service. BLP has provided 275 subsidies in Vanuatu, 163 to businesses with one or more female owners.
The BLP ‘Rebuilding Port Vila Grant’ considers women in business as a criterion for accessing funds to assist in earthquake recovery – a grant that is available for businesses impacted by the earthquake in December 2024.
Conversations which shape behaviours in the workplace and home
Prior to joining VCCI, Wilmaraia owned her own consultancy practice. “During this time, I began running Women in Leadership (WIL) training to help employees in the dynamics of gender in the workplace. “I was engaged by the Vanuatu Institute of Public Administration and Management (VIPAM), the training arm of the Public Service Commission, to facilitate training for heads of agencies, managers and supervisors in various ministries. I continue to facilitate WIL as an additional responsibility to my VCCI role, as I have seen the impact of this training.”
Wilmararia says there are generally as many men in attendance as there are women in these sessions, if not more.
“This training gives men and women a safe space to understand each other’s behaviours as leaders in the workplace and how behaviours affect the productivity and performance output of the opposite gender. It helps the males in the workplace understand the dynamics of gender and how leadership approaches, styles and understanding one’s personality can impact on performance output,” Wilmararia says.
“It has been rewarding to meet spouses of male participants at the graduation ceremony who acknowledge the training and how it has positively impacted the family dynamics and even the change in responsibilities in the home. That is the wider impact of the training.
“My personal context is that I am a mother of three sons. There must be men in the room, as they are the ones that have an influence to change the working environment that will create a conducive workspace for women to thrive.”
Teaching women in business to be able to take, as well as give …and be vulnerable
“Women are natural givers. We tend give more and are often uncomfortable to take. My message to women in leadership is to learn that they can be takers as well, so they can gain, grow and succeed in what you do. It is okay to take, if you know you have worked hard for it and deserve it!”
Wilmaraia has held executive positions since she was 25 years old, and her observation is that people expect that if you have reached a senior executive role that you can handle it all. “People expect you to be strong because of the roles you have had. But it is ok to be vulnerable too. It’s ok to need help and to ask for help to handle things better.”
‘Give to Gain’ – through focused training and inclusive programmes, VCCI is paving the way for women-led businesses to overcome cultural and economic challenges, while also fostering generational change by engaging both men and women in meaningful conversations. As VCCI continues its work, the ripple effect of these conversations and actions will undoubtedly strengthen the private sector and contribute to a more inclusive and resilient community in Vanuatu.