It’s 10:30am on 9 July as my colleague and I pull into the carpark of the Ngarachamayong Cultural Center, a proud-standing building situated in the heart of Koror, Palau. 

As we make our way across the parking lot, we are joined by several women who are all wearing brightly coloured dresses. We all file into a large room with red carpet and red curtains. Women line two long tables down each side of the room and two more women sit at a smaller table at the front of the room. This is the Mechesil Belau – the Women of Palau. 

The Mechesil Belau is an influential women's group, composed of traditional leaders from each of Palau's 16 states. It is one reflection of Palau’s strong matrilineal society. The group works to preserve, promote and protect Palau's unique culture and traditions in an increasingly democratizing society. 

Each year, the Mechesil Belau holds a conference to discuss important social, cultural and environmental challenges facing Palau. The annual conference is championed by the Government of Palau, who participates in various sessions and supports the group in putting into practice recommendations from the conference. This September will mark the 31st year of the conference, with the theme for the 2024 iteration being 'Healthy Lifestyles'. Through these conferences and their ongoing advocacy, the Mechesil Belau has successfully influenced significant policy changes. They have been instrumental in the passage of 44 national laws, including the noteworthy Family Protection Act (2012), and three national constitutional amendments. These achievements demonstrate the group's effectiveness in translating traditional wisdom into modern governance structures.

I learned a lot from the Mechesil Belau during the visit. The group holds an important role of appointing Palau’s council of traditional male chiefs, who in turn play an advisory role to Palau’s national congress. According to Bilung, the leader of the Mechesil Belau, the greatest social outcomes are achieved when democracy and tradition work together. This has been a common sentiment throughout our gender scoping mission to Palau. We were told that traditional customs are like a dock and the democratic system is the boat – if the boat leaves the dock, then the citizens will fall into the gap and end up the water. The Mechesil Belau is both an example of the bridge between tradition and democracy as well as an advocate for strengthening the connection between the two. 

The Mechesil Belau has a strong focus on youth engagement. The group uses cultural practices such as farming and food preparation as an avenue to transmit traditional knowledge to Palau’s young people while fostering honest conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing Palauan citizens. Strengthening social cohesion through inclusive dialogue builds understanding and trust among generations and creates a safe space for individuals and groups to practice culture while expressing modern ideas.        

The Mechesil Bealau’s ongoing efforts to preserve Palau's rich cultural heritage while advocating for progressive policies demonstrate the vital role traditional female leaders play in shaping the nation's future. As Palau continues to navigate the complexities of the 21st century, supporting and amplifying the voices of groups like the Mechesil Belau becomes increasingly crucial.

As global citizens, we all have a stake in supporting initiatives that blend cultural preservation with social change. Whether through increased awareness, cultural exchange, or collaborative projects, there are numerous ways to engage with and support the important work of groups like the Mechesil Belau. Their efforts provide valuable lessons for societies worldwide faced with similar challenges and opportunities to bridge the gap between traditional customs and the democratic system.