This article explores the conflict between
Indigenous customary law in the island states
of the southwest Pacific and constitutionally
enshrined human rights banning gender
discrimination. The author argues that while
some Pacific island states have ratified or
acceded to written frameworks for the
protection of gender equality rights through
documents such as CEDAW, in practice, South
Pacific nations have not upheld their
obligations. The author discusses the status
of women in South Pacific nations,
illustrating the generally patriarchal