Sistas, Let's Talk
Episodes
Family support is vital to coping with teenage pregnancy in the Pacific
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rates of Teenage pregnancies in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are above the global average, but girls in these countries also face be...
Polygamy in Modern-day PNG
14 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This edition of Sista's Let's Talk was a repeat of the program broadcast on 29th November 2021Polygamy is still practiced in parts of Papua New Guine...
Professional women bringing their knowledge home
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This edition of Sista's Let's Talk was a repeat of the program broadcast on 6th July 2022Many Pacific Island women who want to study have to leave th...
What feeds our obsession with sugar?
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sistas, Let’s Talk is a show for women across the Pacific region.
Putting the 'best' in best friendships
24 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What does it mean to have a best friend and why are friendships between women so valuable?Sistas Let's Talk explores the beauty and joy of female fri...
Women in Sport: from grassroots to the world stage
17 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This edition of Sista’s Let’s Talk was a repeat of the program broadcast on 31st August 2023Are more and more Pacific women getting off the side...
Meet the successful business leader from Papua New Guinea who wants more women to believe in their own value.
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
"No one will appoint you unless they see the value you bring." That's what Susil Nelson-Kongoi wants more women to tell themselves when they start to...
How Well Do You Know Your Own Body?
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
PNG Women's Doctor, Lynda Sirigoi, comes across a common problem – many of her patients simply don't know about their own female anatomy and how it...
For better or worse: the changing custom of bride price
29 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In many communities the bride price tradition has evolved from exchanging commodities like food, pigs and shell money, to giving Kina, Vatu or Dollar...
In Conversation with Emeritus Professor Tagaloatele Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop
22 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tagaloatele Peggy Fairbairn Dunlop is an Emeritus Professor at Aukland University of Technology and was the institute’s founding teacher of Pacifi...
As climate change threatens more Pacific communities, how important are women’s voices in finding solutions?
15 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Climate change has seen entire coastal communities relocate, from Cateret Islands in Bougainville to the village of Vunidogoloa on Vanua Levu, Fiji.
What's it like to be a woman boss in Papua New Guinea?
08 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Less than 9 per cent of national parliamentarians in the Pacific are women, but in the business sector women are rising to the top.
How does a PNG Highlander end up working on the high seas?
01 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What's it like to be the only woman on board a fishing vessel, miles from land and away from your family for weeks?
Women Chiefs & Traditional Power
25 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From Nafanua, the Samoan goddess of war, to ending a civil war in Bougainville – the power of women is without a doubt embedded in Pacific history....
What is perimenopause and why should we talk about it?
18 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What do you know about perimenopause? I would guess not very much. And that’s because we never speak about it – and that’s not just in the Paci...
Why is a first birthday so important in the Marshall Islands?
11 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the Marshall Islands, a baby turning one is a big celebration. It’s known as the kemem. The occasion is usually marked with a big gathering wit...
How are Pacific beauty queens breaking the mould?
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When Moemoana Schwenke took to the stage for her talent at Miss Samoa 2023, she had the crowd roaring. Not only did she perform the siva afi – a fi...
How does seasonal work impact the women and communities left behind?
27 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Changes to Australia’s PALM scheme have been life-changing to many families across the Pacific. We’ve heard from women who have made the sacrific...
What is it really like to work on the PALM scheme if you're a woman?
20 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Work programs like the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme promise opportunities that can be really appealing.
Celebrating Our Grandmothers
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As more people move away from their villages, from their extended families, from their elders, what happens to that special relationship between a gr...
How does period pain hold women back?
06 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Most women suffer from period pain, but the majority simply push through it. How different would women’s lives be if they gave period pain the care...
Women in Sport: from grassroots to the world stage
30 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sistas, Let’s Talk is a show for women across the Pacific region.
Bird of Paradise Dame Meg Taylor
23 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dame Meg Taylor and the artist inspired by her legacy
The Pacific women who make us laugh
16 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sistas, Let’s Talk is a show for women across the Pacific region.
Sistas rewind: Favourite interviews from tattoos to press freedom
09 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sistas, Let’s Talk is a show for women across the Pacific region.
There's been a cultural shift in kava consumption. What impact has this had on women?
02 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sistas, Let’s Talk is a show for women across the Pacific region.
Let's talk about sex
26 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the Pacific, talking about sex is a big taboo topic – but clear and open discussions can benefit everyone.
Remembering Aitape: 25 years on from the devastating tsunami
19 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sistas, Let’s Talk is a show for women across the Pacific region.
Remembering Aitape: Part One
12 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sistas, Let’s Talk is a show for women across the Pacific region.
How can social media change the lives of Pacific women and those around them?
05 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From giving up a corporate gig to making a personal brand international to growing vanilla: social media has helped these Pacific women do it all
Meet the "neurospicy" Samoan sisters changing workplace culture
28 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sistas, Let’s Talk is a show for women across the Pacific region.
Breast cancer: Why do so many women wait until it's too late?
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The best chance of survival from breast cancer is with early diagnosis, so you can receive life-saving treatment, but this doesn't happen for many Pa...
Colourism: Casting of Nani in Lilo & Stitch just the tip of the iceberg
14 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sistas, Let’s Talk is a show for women across the Pacific region.
Preventing cervical cancer with a simple swab
07 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's easier than ever to test for the virus that causes cervical cancer and more screening programs means fewer women will die from this preventable ...
Pacific conversations that will bring you joy
31 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Over 87 episodes of Sistas, Let's Talk, women across the Pacific have shared their stories about health, lifestyle and culture.
If something were to happen today, would you have the financial knowledge to survive?
24 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Financial literacy is something many of us grapple with, but meet the Pacific women meeting this head on and changing their lives
How women are changing the face of the church across the Pacific
17 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Women now make up almost half of the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia since the church began ordaining women in the 1970s.
What happens when you experience birth trauma?
10 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Giving birth isn't always straightforward, and sometimes things can go wrong. But a growing movement of pregnant women and midwives across Papua Ne...
Meet the Australian South Sea Islanders reconnecting with their Pacific heritage
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Descendants of Australia's South Sea Islander community are reclaiming their identity, learning the stories of their ancestors and re-connecting wit...
What is it really like to work on the PALM scheme if you're a woman?
26 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Work programs like the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme promise opportunities that can be really appealing.
How Samoa's Warrior Queen took on a men's tradition and inspired a generation
19 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Pioneer fautasi skipper Vaimasenu'u Zita Sefo-Martel became the first female long-boat skipper in the traditional men's sport of fautasi racing
How do we raise boys to become good men?
12 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With gender-based violence an inherent problem within many families and communities across the Pacific, how do we teach men to respect girls and wome...
How women bear the unique brunt of PNG's escalating tribal violence
05 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Over the past 20 years, an influx of guns and a general breakdown in traditional rules has seen tribal violence in Papua New Guinea escalate. ...
Beauty Pageants in the Pacific region
29 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Beauty pageant are a big deal in the Pacific region, and many consider them to be a celebration of culture and identity. But allegations of racism ag...
Let's talk about sex
22 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the Pacific, talking about sex is a big taboo topic – but clear and open discussions can benefit everyone.
Meet the Pacific women keeping their culture alive
15 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We live in a world that is increasingly dominated by a western way of life, so it is important to nurture language, culture and beliefs.
Wednesday 08 March 2023
08 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Agriculture is one of the main economic pillars for Pacific countries, and too often women do the hard labour with little or no financial say. Not an...
Breast cancer: Why do so many women wait until it's too late?
01 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The best chance of survival from breast cancer is with early diagnosis, so you can receive life-saving treatment, but this doesn't happen for many Pa...
How do you balance being a modern Pacific woman from a deeply traditional culture?
22 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The world is changing at a rapid pace and the younger you are, the easier it is to keep up with those changes. But when you are a young woman in the ...
Papua New Guinea women are facing an epidemic of violence. Is it time for men to fix the problem?
15 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A woman is beaten every 30 seconds in Papua New Guinea, and more than 1.5 million people experience gender-based violence in the country each year.
If something were to happen today, would you have the financial knowledge to survive?
08 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Financial literacy is something many of us grapple with, but meet the Pacific women meeting this head on and changing their lives
What is it like to be a conservationist in the land of a thousand tribes, Papua New Guinea?
01 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In order to get locals to appreciate the need for conservation, Yolarnie Amepou had to learn their language and appreciate and respect the diversity ...
Are women the solution to the Pacific's diabetes epidemic?
25 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Type 2 diabetes is one of the biggest health issues facing people in the Pacific, and the World Health Organisation suggests women may be the key to ...
Giving birth during natural disasters
18 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bringing a baby into the world is meant to be a joyous occasion but imagine going through this during a natural disaster. With the impacts of climate...
Being the eldest sister in the Pacific
11 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne talks to Pacific Island women who are the eldest sister in their family about the challenges and rewards of this unique role.
Dissing the sistas
04 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Not too long ago, a clip from an Australian podcast went on viral on TikTok when a prominent personality used his platform to make fun of Pacific wom...
Meet the women keeping the ancient art of Pacific storytelling alive
28 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Storytelling is woven deep into the Pacific cultural fabric, passed down from one generation to another for thousands of years. But it's facing a ver...
Music legends Vika and Linda Bull on how their Tongan heritage shaped them
21 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Bull sisters shot to fame when they joined Australian music group The Black Sorrows, but their musical interest began in the Tongan church.
Why is it so hard for Pacific women writers to publish their books?
14 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Putting pen to paper to create a manuscript can be easy, but the process of turning that into a published book can be the complete opposite.
How the Black Sistaz use music as activism
07 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Black Sistaz were born without a state when their parents fled West Papua for the Netherlands, and now they use music to speak out against Indone...
What's behind the rapid rise of HIV cases in Fiji?
30 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
While HIV is easily treated and no longer a death sentence, Fiji is seeing a rapid rise in infections
Women living with disability in the Pacific
23 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne talks to Pacific Island women about what it is really like to live with disability
How do women in the Pacific manage financially after the of loss their spouse?
16 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When the only social security available is the extended family, women can be left financially vulnerable with the death or divorce of their husband. ...
One woman's crusade to preserve traditional Pacific food and healthy eating
09 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With lifestyle diseases due to poor diets and gradual loss of traditional food in the Pacific, Jennifer Baing has been championing the revival of tra...
What does it take to make a career in music for Pacific women?
02 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What are some of the challenges women musicians in the Pacific face when trying to pursue music as a career and how do they overcome these to do what...
Cheating: Should I stay or should I go?
26 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What stops a woman from leaving her cheating partner? Forgiveness? Love? Or is it more about finances, stigma and community expectations?
Access to safe abortion
19 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Babies can be a joy, and family means a lot to our Pacific culture, but each year, tens of thousands of women in the Pacific face the difficult choic...
How rituals help in mourning
12 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Losing a loved one is one of life's most traumatic experiences, and specific rituals have evolved over time to help ease that pain.
How women eco-warriors are fighting on two fronts
05 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Women have long been acting as conservationists, but many feel powerless to take it to the next level because the power of change still rests with me...
The crusade against sorcery-related violence in PNG
28 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Women are increasingly becoming targets in sorcery accusation-related violence, and one woman has made it her life's mission to stamp it out.
Do we have a drinking problem?
21 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Studies show many western women are drinking too much. In some cases, they now drink as much as men. But is this also the case in the Pacific?
Giving birth during natural disasters
14 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Bringing a baby into the world is meant to be a joyous occasion but imagine going through this during a natural disaster. With the impacts of climate...
Tackling illiteracy: How these women transformed their lives
07 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When women haven't been able to finish school, the impacts of illiteracy are enormous and affects the entire family's health and wellbeing. But a gro...
Meet the women keeping the ancient art of Pacific storytelling alive
31 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Storytelling is woven deep into the Pacific cultural fabric, passed down from one generation to another for thousands of years. But it's facing a ver...
Women behind bars in the Pacific
24 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne speaks to a woman who served time behind bars in Fiji and finds out from women offering on-the-ground support what the path to rehabilita...
Are women the solution to the Pacific's diabetes epidemic?
17 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Type 2 diabetes is one of the biggest health issues facing people in the Pacific, and the World Health Organisation suggests women may be the key to ...
What's it like being a sex worker in the Pacific?
10 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Throughout the Pacific, sex work is illegal and it's seen as a great sin, but that hasn't stopped many women taking up the oldest profession - and fo...
Dame Carol Kidu continues the fight for women in PNG's election
03 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Following scenes of corruption, vote stealing and massacres, one woman is determined to see change in PNG politics
How is elderly care changing in the Pacific?
27 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne talks to Pacific Island women about the changing pressures of caring for the elderly .
Dissing the sistas
20 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Some Pacific men are using social media platforms to punch down on Pacific women
How one woman is using her Christian faith to liberate West Papua
13 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
West Papuan Rode Wanimbo is a champion for human rights and speaks about the intersections of her culture, her Christianity and her womanhood.
Professional women bringing their knowledge home
06 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne talks to Pacific Island women about studying abroad and bringing vital services back to their communities
Women living with disability in the Pacific
29 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne talks to Pacific Island women about what it is really like to live with disability
Lazy men in the Pacific
22 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne talks to Pacific Island women about the lazy men in their lives and how the gendered division of labour contributes to the problem.
The Pacific's chlamydia epidemic
15 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne talks to sexual health experts about the rapid rise of chlamydia in the Pacific.
Women and Press Freedom in the Pacific
08 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne talks to Pacific Island journalists about their experiences reporting in the Pacific region.
Being the eldest sister in the Pacific
01 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne talks to Pacific Island women who are the eldest sister in their family about the challenges and rewards of this unique role.
LGBTQI in the Pacific
25 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne talks to Pacific Island women and gender diverse people about the experience of being LGBTQI in the Pacific region.
Women behind bars in the Pacific
18 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Wayne speaks to a woman who served time behind bars in Fiji and finds out from women offering on-the-ground support what the path to rehabilitation i...
Women and Infertility in the Pacific
11 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne speaks to experts and ordinary women about infertility in the Pacific region, and finds out what it’s really like to struggle with fert...
Cervical Cancer in the Pacific
04 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne hears inspiring and sometimes heartbreaking stories from the frontlines of the Pacific region’s cervical cancer crisis.
A love letter to our special female friends
27 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne pens a love letter to her late best friend, Cynthia, and invites women from across the Pacific to share about the special female friends ...
Pacific Women and the Spirit World
20 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne hears how Pacific Island women are reclaiming their pre-Christian spiritual traditions.
How the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption impacted women
13 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the aftermath of Tonga’s volcanic eruption, Hilda Wayne explores the disproportionate impact of natural disasters on women
Accessing birth control in the Pacific
06 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne explores why fewer Pacific Island women are using birth control today.
The political plight of women in Papua New Guinea
30 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne talks to the women demanding to have a seat at the decision-making table in PNG — a country that has only elected seven women to its Pa...
Social media and beauty standards in the Pacific.
23 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne talks to the Pacific Island women reclaiming their cultural identity and self-esteem in the world of social media.
Inspirational women fight against HIV in the Pacific region
16 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne talks to the inspirational women on the frontlines of the fight against HIV in the Pacific region.
Pacific Women Seasonal Workers
09 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne talks to Pacific Women Seasonal Workers to find out whether there is substance to allegations of poor treatment for workers, or whether t...
How Not to Date Your Cousin!
02 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hilda Wayne finds out how a Pacific Island taboo is playing out in the modern world.