News

Members of PSDI’s Economic Empowerment of Women and Financing Growth teams were in Nadi, Fiji this week to support a Women in Super session at the Pacific Islands Investment Forum (PIIF) CEO Forum.

The session was led by Ms. Melisha Sindiwan, Nasfund Marketing Manager and Chair of the Women in Super Steering Committee. It highlighted the significant progress made by PIIF members in implementing the three resolutions agreed to at the 2023 CEO Forum:

• Enhancing the collection, use, and reporting of sex-disaggregated data;
• Increasing the inclusion of individuals from the informal economy; and
• Strengthening retirement literacy among women.

Key achievements shared by Ms. Sindiwan included:

• A 2025 survey of the PIIF members revealed that all member funds now have access to sex-disaggregated data. Of these, 33% are already including this data in their annual reports, with an additional 58% planning to do so in their next reporting cycle. These gains have been supported by investments in improved data systems and staff training. However, ongoing challenges remain, including data collection gaps and quality concerns. To address these, several funds have introduced initiatives such as data analytics training and strategic partnerships.
• Efforts to reach individuals in the informal economy are also underway. The session noted that 83% of member funds have implemented measures to expand membership and promote voluntary contributions over the last 12 months. These efforts include targeted outreach, consultations, and public awareness campaigns aimed at increasing participation.
• Just over half of the PIIF member funds currently have retirement literacy programs in place. While many funds reported facing barriers such as limited resources, geographic isolation, and cultural factors, they funds are exploring ways to overcome these challenges, including strategies such as school-based programs and deeper community engagement.

The Women in Super session also reaffirmed the PIIF's commitment to advancing gender equity in retirement systems and underscored how member funds are collaborating and innovating to achieve inclusive financial outcomes. A Women in Super Manual, developed by PSDI to provide guidance and support for the implementation of these resolutions, was shared with PIIF member funds at the event.

The CEO Forum brought together over 100 delegates from PIIF member funds and other representatives to discuss emerging priorities and opportunities in the retirement fund sector.

The session was a part of a wider Women in Super initiative, launched by PIIF in 2022 with support from PSDI, which aims to break down barriers to women's participation in retirement funds across the Pacific. The initiative builds on a diagnostic study that PSDI undertook to identify the barriers to women’s access to retirement and non-retirement benefits. PSDI continues to support the Women in Super initiative through technical support and guidance. 

Ms. Melisha Sindiwan, Chair of the Women in Super Steering Committee, presenting at the Pacific Islands Investment Forum CEO Forum.

L-R: Damien Beddoes, Pacific Islands Investment Forum (PIIF) Secretariat and CEO of Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund; Jennifer Lakoa, Women in Super Steering Committee representative from Solomon Islands National Provident Fund; Melisha Sundiwan, Women in Super Steering Committee Chair from Papua New Guinea Nasfund; Millie Low, Women in Super Steering Committee representative from Fiji National Provident Fund; Laumanu Mafi, Women in Super Steering Committee representative from New Zealand Super Fund; Rajeev Sharma, PIIF Chair and CEO of Nasfund.

Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji, Biman Prasad, opens the Pacific Islands Investment CEO Forum. 

Ms. Melisha Sindiwan, Nasfund Marketing Manager and Chair of the Women in Super Steering Committee, holding  the Women in Super Manual developed by PSDI.