Solo female traveller cultural experience?

Hi everyone,
I've read a number of posts/blogs regarding the unique culture and hospitality of the people of Vanuatu. During the rainy season (Jan/Feb), I will have an opportunity to spend anywhere from a week to a month in the islands depending on how I prioritize my time. I am very interested in meeting locals and would love to trek to villages on Santo or other islands! However, the limited posts I've read regarding these types of experiences have been written by solo male travelers. My question is: How would a lone woman be received by people in villages versus coastal towns? Are there any cultural barriers or safety concerns I should be aware of? Is it normal (in both more and less westernized parts of Vanuatu) for women to befriend / converse with men or does socialization occur mostly with those of the same gender?

I could not find adequate answers elsewhere due to a general lack of information about Vanuatu's outer islands (though I suppose that is part of what adds to the appeal.)

Thank you all in advance!

Well, I'm not a woman either, but can still confirm that socialization in Vanuatu, especially in the more traditional areas, mostly goes on in same-sex groups. Many activities are only for men (like kava-drinking in traditional villages) and I am sure others only for women.
While western women are often treated as honorary men in many respects, I think you may well have a more satisfying trip if accepting local norms rather than insisting to travel just like a man.

I'm a solo female (late 50s) and have travelled in Vanuatu 4 years ago. Safety never was an issue and I found the people very friendly, especially on Tanna. I did try to dress modestly, i.e. cover shoulders and knees, especially in locally owned hotels and out hiking., but I wasn't frowned upon when I wore a bikini on the beach, at least not that I noticed.

A guide from my accommodation on Tanna took me on a couple of guided walks (I have no sense of direction at all) and we talked about the jungle and the plants, but also about our lives. He was very interested in my life, as I was in his. Because I smoke, I shared my rollies with the men we met on the way, which was appreciated, but didn't lead to real interaction one on one, only through the guide. I did talk to women, mostly the ones that worked in the accommodation I was staying in.

I have also been on Nguna, a small island off the north coast of Efate, where I stayed in (very) basic accommodation on the outskirts of a village, close to the beach. I could walk through the village freely, actually that was encouraged by my hosts, and talk to people, but they were mostly women as well. So Laszlo is spot on, saying that socializing goes in same sex groups. Not saying that men are rude or anything, they just stick to themselves.

I didn't particularly wanted to join a kava ceremony (very potent stuff in Vanuatu), but I noticed it is possible to arrange for one from your accommodation, also for women.

Hope this helps a bit.

Thanks so much to both of you, laszlo and lilau, this is exactly what I was looking for!