Page 26 - IB March 2018 Edition

Violence Against Women in the Pacific

mon Islands, Tonga and Sa- periods of political, tribal and ethnic
moa), all have prevalence rates conflict and in the context of natural
for intimate partner violence disasters and emergencies.
that greatly exceed the global
averages, ranging from 60% to 4. Our analysis of the consequences
68% in Melanesia and Kiribati, of VAW highlights the health, social
and from 40 to 46% in Polyne- broader development and economic
sia. Rates of non-partner vio- impacts. This analysis aligns with
lence are also extremely high other international actors who iden- Since 1984, we have worked towards empowering survivors of violence
in the Pacific when compared tify VAW as a critical problem which and advocating for the human rights of women in Fiji and the Pacific.
with global averages, par- contributes to and reinforces poverty
Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre received the Australian Mitchell ticularly non-partner physical and impedes sustainable economic
Humanitarian Award in Feb 2018. violence in Tonga and Samoa. growth and overall national develop-
The rates of childhood sexual ment. Our analysis also highlights
In the United Nations Declaration abuse of girls are extraordinarily high: the fact that VAW, in addition to be- Our Services Include:
on the Elimination of Violence Against 37% in the Solomon Islands, 30% in ing caused by gender inequality, is • Free and confidential, non-judgmental crisis counselling and advocacy for survivors of Domestic
Women (DEVAW), violence against Vanuatu and 8% in Tonga. Emotional a social mechanism that perpetu-
women is defined as any act of gen- violence and coercive control by inti- ates and reinforces inequality and Violence, Rape, Child Abuse and Sexual Harassment.
der based violence that “results in, or mate partners is extremely high across unequal gender power relations, by • Community Education
is likely to result in, physical, sexual the region. In Fiji, 58% of women were forcing women into a subordinate • Advocacy and Lobbying
or psychological harm or suffering to emotional abused in their lifetime, 69% position compared to men. Impacts
women, including the threat of violence, were subjected to one or more forms of of VAW highlighted by the findings • Information and Research
coercion, or arbitrary deprivations of control by their husband/partner, and of FWCC’s research report include: di- • Regional and National Training on Gender, Violence Against Women and Human Rights
liberty. Violence against women (VAW) 28% to 4 or more types of control. For rect impacts on survivors including to • Male Advocacy Programme on Women’s Human Rights
includes: example, 39% of women have to ask their physical, reproductive and men-
for permission from their husbands be- tal health. Direct economic costs to • Coordinating the Pacific Women’s Network Against Violence Against Women
1. Physical, sexual and psychologi- fore seeking health care for themselves. families, communities and the nation
cal violence occurring in the family, Women living with their intimate part- due to the significant health impacts
including battering, sexual abuse of ner violence are subjected to economic of VAW and other costs of respond- For further information contact the:
female children in the household, abuse: 28% had husbands/partners ing to the problem (such as by wel-
dowry related violence and violence who either took their savings or re- fare and law and justice agencies). Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre
related to exploitation. Physical, fused to give them money. Enormous lost opportunities for so- 88 Gordon Street
sexual and psychological violence cial and economic development due P O Box 12882, Suva, Fiji
occurring within the general com- 3. Women and girls who face multiple to the threat of violence and coercive Tel: (679) 3313 300 (24 Hour Line) Fax: (679) 3313 650
munity including rape, sexual abuse, forms of discrimination due to ethnic- control, which undermines women’s Mobile: (679) 9209 470 (24 Hour Line)
sexual harassment and intimidation ity, sexual identity and ability/disabil- agency and prevents women from
at work, in educational institutions ity are exposed to increased risk of all participating in education, economic Email: fwcc@connect.com.fj Website: www.fijiwomen.com
and elsewhere, trafficking in women forms of violence. Although prevalence development and political decision-
and forced prostitution and physical, data is scarce on violence against wom- making and short term and long term Nadi Women’s Crisis Centre
sexual and psychological violence en and girls with disabilities, it indicates impacts on children which further 84 Sagayam Road
perpetrated or condones by the state, that these women experience much impede economic development. Tel: 670 7558 Mobile: 9182 884 (24 Hour Line)
wherever its occurs.” higher rates of violence. Our research
also demonstrated that violence against Around the Pacific a lot of work is Labasa Women’s Crisis Centre
2. Of the 6 Pacific countries with na- women contributes to disability, due to being done in the area of eliminat- Lot 3 Naiyaca Subdivision (Off Hospital Road)
tional prevalence studies using the the frequency and severity of injuries. ing violence against women through Tel: 8814 609 Mobile: 9377 784 (24 Hour Line)
World Health Organisation method- It is widely accepted that the rick of vio- the Pacific Women’s Network against
ology (Fiji, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Solo- lence against women increases during Violence against Women (PWNAVAW) Ba Women’s Crisis Centre
and other agencies in partnership with 35 Navatu Street, Varadoli
development partners. Over the last 34
years we have seen changes- many Tel: 6670 466 Mobile: 9239 775 (24 Hour Line)
more stakeholders including faith-
based organisation, traditional leaders Rakiraki Women’s Crisis Centre
and some governments are committing Lot 2, Yaratale Road, Vaileka
to ending violence against women and Tel: 6694 012 Mobile: 9129 790 (24 Hour Line)
children through specific legislation,
policies and programmes. 24-HOUR TOLL-FREE NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELPLINE: 1560
Most of the funding for this work is
from foreign governments. Its time our
own governments come to the table and
take responsibility to demonstrate this
commitment to our women and chil-
dren. www.facebook.com/FijiWomen/ Fiji Women - @CommsFwcc

26 Islands Business, March 2018