Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a pervasive and devastating crisis for women and girls in the region with Pacific women ministers urging governments and communities to urgently address the issue through prevention and response efforts.
At the end of the 15th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women and the 8th Pacific Ministers of Women meeting, representatives of governments, civil society and non-governmental organisations reiterated calls to make the Pacific violent free and safer for women and girls.
The meeting focused on three themes- women and girls’ health, gender-based violence and gender responsive climate justice.
In the Pacific, two out of three women will experience violence- physical and sexual assault, emotional abuse and harmful traditional practices- in their lifetime, which is above the global average.
Chairperson of the meetings, Marshall Islands Minister Jess Gasper Jr was confident that the outcomes of the meetings were achievable by 2030 but stressed it needed the effort of all.
“With the right champions, with consistency in the whole of government, not just one ministry, it’s achievable. And again, it takes everybody working together, not just governments, CSOs. faith based organisations- the whole region, all the people need to adopt this and make it their own.”
In 2017, Pacific Ministers for Women endorsed the Pacific Platform for Action on Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights (PPA) 2018-2030 to achieve gender equality.
In Marshall Islands, which is a matrilineal society, at least 69 percent of women will experience some form of violence in their lifetime.
“We put our women at a pedestal because that they are the caregivers of the land. And to see the records that are really saddening, I really wanted more information on gender-based violence so that we can again work with our CSOs our community organisations, nonprofits, churches, faith based organisations, so we can get that information out,” Mr Gasper Jr said.
The meeting emphasised the importance of understanding and addressing the root causes of GBV, which include deeply ingrained gender inequality, harmful social norms, and economic disparities.
It also highlighted the emergence of new forms of violence, such as technology-facilitated abuse, where perpetrators use digital platforms to harass, intimidate, and control women and girls.
“Our workplaces are not spared, with one in five women reporting sexual harassment,” Fiji’s Minister of Women, Children and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya said. “Moreover, the rise of technology-facilitated gender-based violence compounds our vulnerabilities in the digital realm, manifested in online sexual harassment, cyber stalking and bullying, deep fake pornography and non-consensual dissemination of intimate images.”
Participants advocated for a multi-pronged approach to tackle the crisis, including early intervention programs, educational initiatives, community-based awareness campaigns, and the engagement of men and boys as allies in the fight for gender equality.
The conference also stressed the need for stronger support services for survivors, including shelters, counseling, legal aid, and other essential resources.
The meeting concluded with a resolute call for solidarity and action. Governments were urged to increase investment in prevention and response initiatives, strengthen legal frameworks, and hold perpetrators accountable.
Civil society organisations were encouraged to continue their advocacy efforts and support services. Faith-based organisations were asked to leverage their influence to promote gender equality and condemn violence against women. Communities were called upon to challenge harmful social norms and create safe spaces for women and girls.
