The authors argue that recent research on women and educational leadership in the developed world has become central in the field of researching women and educational leadership. Other research – that undertaken in the developing world – has been rendered peripheral, sitting on the margins fighting for space and visibilty. Consequently, theories are often developed from research undertaken in Western contexts and seldom have a ‘click of recognition’ for researchers in Melanesia. Specific context research is need so that theories and strategies are grounded in grassroots experience.