A very controversial point that arose from the discussion on feminism was its relationship to traditional culture and “traditional” women. A controversial comment made was that:

It is feminist to be a woman and to be in a traditional role, if women are happy with that.

In many Pacific women's conferences, the view has been expressed that Pacific women have equal status and significant power and influence in some areas in some traditional cultures, for example, women's control over land. The view that Pacific women have power traditionally and that the women's movement should not criticise traditional cultural practices, was raised and then seriously debated.