This is a striking figure from the Vanuatu National Gender Policy that reflects the region's enormous gender-divide.

Because ni-Vanuatu men are twice as likely as women to be in paid employment, Deakin woman Mollie Bain travelled to our pacific neighbour in the hope of economically empowering women through volunteering.

And as Saturday is National Volunteer Day, she is passionate about sharing the joy she gave and received during the life-changing experience.

"I think you get back exactly what you give when you volunteer," Ms Bain said.

"I went over there to work with the women, give them some skills and help them build a business, but I think that I came back with a lot more than I gave them."

Ms Bain worked as a women's rural business development officer to establish a social enterprise called the Malampa Handicraft Centre with local women.

It was an Australian government initiative funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The work involved showing women who already had the necessary skills to make handicrafts how to profit from their goods.

Locals from Malakula, Paama and Ambrym brought their products into the Malakula island store where Ms Bain helped to sell them.

Since officially opening on October 16 last year, the Malampa Handicraft Centre has made $61,000 in revenue. which has gone directly to improving the lives of the craft makers.

"I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to go over there because I was able to use my skills to help the people who really needed it," Ms Bain said.

"Even the rural women, when you paid them back with the money they earned, are so proud of what they've been able to do and so touched that someone would actually want to buy their product."

She has brought some of the handmade products, including bags, baskets and decorative items, back to Australia in the hope of spreading the business internationally.

"What I took out of this experience is that they are all so incredibly resilient," she said.

"So even though their lives are very difficult, they laugh all day, they are extremely grateful, and they are very inspiring."

Ms Bain has remained connected with the community even though the program has finished.

"After living there for so long, they are part of my family," she said.

"If we have the capacity to help our neighbours in any way, then I think that we should."