From silence to strength: Transforming our Blue Pacific through legislation
‘Alofa’ - or love - underpins the Pacific solution to ending violence and empowering women
Socio-cultural values of love, protection and care that prevail in most Pacific Island countries and territories inspired a Samoan teenage girl to dedicate her life to the empowerment of women and girls.
“My interest in gender equality started when I…
Stat of the week: In Tonga, 19% of women (15-49) have suffered physical violence by their partner at least once in their lifetime (2019)
In Tonga, 19% of women (15-49) have suffered physical violence by their partner at least once in their lifetime (2019). This is one of the lowest reported rates in the Pacific.
25th of November is the International Day for the Elimination of…
Stat of the week: In the Cook Islands, 1 in 10 ever-partnered women and girls (15+) was subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months (2018)
Did you know? In the Cook Islands, 1 in 10 ever-partnered women and girls (15+) was subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months (2018). This is one of the lowest reported rates…
Vanuatu’s Experience: Implementation of Domestic Violence Legislation
The Pacific has some of the highest rates of intimate partner violence in the world. Since 2008, Family Health and Safety Studies in 11 Pacific Island Countries and Territories have indicated rates of lifetime physical and sexual violence by intimate…
FSM's Experience: Implementation of Domestic Violence Legislation
The 2nd annual Regional Working Group for the implementation of the Family Protection Act and Domestic Violence (DV) Legislation (RWG) meeting allowed representatives from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) to present their challenges and learn…
A Pacific regional approach to implementing domestic violence legislation
In August 2012, Pacific Leaders issued a declaration expressing their concern that progress in the region towards gender equality was slow.
When it comes to domestic and gender-based violence talk is not enough
When we say that we are shocked and alarmed about women and girls being abused, attacked or even killed, by their husbands and partners, what do our words achieve? The sad answer is that words alone are not enough to bring an end to domestic and gender-…
Melanesian leaders make a stand against Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the sub-region
The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat concluded its inaugural sub-regional conference with its members on eliminating domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence with the development of an Outcomes Document collating ministers and senior…
Melanesian Ministerial Workshop on Violence against Women: A Sub-Regional Approach to preventing domestic and sexual and gender-based violence
Domestic violence and violence against women are a scourge on our nations and the region and a violation to their human rights. While the enactment of domestic violence legislation is a big achievement for the region, more needs to be done to address the…