Nauru’s Minister for Women and Social Development Affairs Charmaine Scotty has called on South Pacific governments to improve laws and provide support for victims of violence against women (VAW).
Her remarks came after an international event concluded that countries in the region are among the “worst” in the world for women and girls, Radio New Zealand reported.
Last week, Nauru hosted the sixth annual meeting of the working group on the implementation of family protected domestic violence legislation.
“It is imperative to note that violence against women constitutes the most severe expression of gender-based discrimination and disempowerment of women and girls,” Scotty said.
According to a report, 70% of females in Pacific nations face physical and sexual violence, which is double the global average.
The 2014 Nauru Family Health and Support Study moreover said that almost almost half of all women have experienced physical or sexual violence in the territory.
Pandemic of violence
Scotty emphasised that if leaders do not address this “pandemic”, it will dismantle democracy, peace, and security.
In Fiji, meanwhile, Women’s Crisis Centre co-ordinator Shamima Ali said in an interview that almost all women in the country experience domestic violence.
Worse still, they do not report this to authorities and just endure it at the hands of their partners.
She stated that when something goes wrong in a marriage, women are often blamed.
“Poverty has also a major role to play as a contributing factor to women remaining in violent relationships and not being able to get out,” Ali added.
According to one study, the crisis is fuelled by deeply rooted gender inequality, cultural stigma, patriarchal norms, economic disparities, and a lack of co-ordinated support services for survivors.
Additionally, under-resourced health and legal systems further compound the challenges women face in seeking protection and justice.
Nauru actually has a law specifically addressing domestic violence and family protection – the Domestic Violence and Family Protection Act 2017 came into effect on June 1, 2017, establishing a protective framework for women and children.
Likewise, in Fiji, there is the Domestic Violence Act of 2009, which provides legal protection and remedies for victims of domestic violence, including the ability to obtain protection orders.
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