Motarilavoa Hilda Lini
Encyclopedia
Motarilavoa Hilda Lini is a chief of the Turaga nation
of Pentecost Island
in Vanuatu
in the South Pacific
, who has been associated with the nuclear-free Pacific movement, women’s rights, indigenous rights, and environmental issues. Following Vanuatu's 1980 independence, she became the first woman elected to Parliament, in 1987. During the early 1990s, as Minister of Health, she helped to persuade the World Health Organization
to bring the question of the legality of nuclear weapons to the International Court of Justice
in The Hague
. She received The Nuclear-Free Future Award
in 2005.
Turaga nation
The Turaga nation is an indigenous movement based in northern Pentecost Island, Vanuatu. Its leaders include Chief Viraleo Boborenvanua and Motarilavoa Hilda Lini...
of Pentecost Island
Pentecost Island
Pentecost Island is one of the 83 islands that make up the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu. It lies due north of capital Port Vila. Pentecost Island is known as Pentecôte in French and Pentikos in Bislama. The island was known in its native languages by names such as Vanu Aroaroa, although these...
in Vanuatu
Vanuatu
Vanuatu , officially the Republic of Vanuatu , is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is some east of northern Australia, northeast of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands, near New Guinea.Vanuatu was...
in the South Pacific
Melanesia
Melanesia is a subregion of Oceania extending from the western end of the Pacific Ocean to the Arafura Sea, and eastward to Fiji. The region comprises most of the islands immediately north and northeast of Australia...
, who has been associated with the nuclear-free Pacific movement, women’s rights, indigenous rights, and environmental issues. Following Vanuatu's 1980 independence, she became the first woman elected to Parliament, in 1987. During the early 1990s, as Minister of Health, she helped to persuade the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
to bring the question of the legality of nuclear weapons to the International Court of Justice
International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. It is based in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands...
in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
. She received The Nuclear-Free Future Award
Nuclear-Free Future Award
Since 1998 the Nuclear-Free Future Award is an award given to anti-nuclear activists, organizations and communities. The award is intended to promote the opposition to uranium mining, nuclear weapons and nuclear power....
in 2005.