COMING TO THE MAT is a production of Melanesian Women Today, a podcast aimed at telling the stories of courageous, ordinary Pacific Island women from across the South Pacific (Melanesia, Polynesia, Micronesia, and around the globe).

As the people of the Ocean, our connectivity is through our stories, and our culture of reciprocity where everyone and everything is interconnected, interdependent, and interrelated; the belief is in a universal bond of sharing and celebrating our humanity.

The MAT is a symbol of our common bond that weaves together our stories of commonalities. Storytelling is a practice in all Pacific Island cultures that sustains communities, validates experiences and epistemologies, expresses experiences of the oceanic peoples, and nurtures relationships and the sharing of knowledge. Storytelling is also a central focus of our epistemologies, and pedagogues.

Empowering women through the use of household budgets and a savings plan to provide a buffer against unexpected financial shocks.

Women’s empowerment through economic means is a powerful approach to assisting them reach their potential. Often times women lack resources and information which prevents them from being successful. Our partnerships foster information knowledge along with connecting women entrepreneurs with much needed resources.

Melanesian Business Review will be a written published journal which will highlight women owned businesses and women entrepreneurs across Melanesia.