Mi silip wetem wan boy las naet be mitufala no yusum condom. Mi no wantem gat bel, bae mi mekem wanem?

Aug 10, 2016 | Wellbeing and Self Care, Uncategorized | 0

Vanuatu is a Christian nation where it’s widely believed that sex before marriage is a sin. Contraception and condoms are taboo and although sexual health is promoted in schools and through organizations such as Wan Smol Bag, it is still considered inappropriate to openly discuss sexual health.

Many of the chiefs and church ministers believe that abstinence is the best solution to prevent pregnancies but the reality is that young people are engaging in sexual relations and girls as young as 15 are falling pregnant. In fact Vila Central Hospital have reported that 14% of pregnancies are teenagers and that Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are widespread, particularly Chlamydia.

In a 2008 report conducted by the Ministry of Health and Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), it revealed that only 38% of women had planned their pregnancy. Of those who did not plan their pregnancy, 50% did not use any contraceptives in the three months prior to becoming pregnant. If they did use contraceptives, some women were using traditional leaf medicine.

‘Taem mi silip wetem wan boy, mi go karem wan leaf medicine lo Auntie blong mi,’ says Harriet, a young girl from Tanna. The leaf medicine comes in a plastic water bottle and a small portion is taken after she has sex. She admits that it is unreliable and worries that it will fail as it has before. She already has two babies and doesn’t want any more children. However she says that she feels shy to go to a reproductive health clinic. It doesn’t help that she is unsure where to go and is unable to afford basic healthcare.

Kam Pusem Head (KPH) Clinic

If you are based in Port Vila, the Kam Pusem Head (KPH) Clinic is a relaxed and informal sexual health clinic based in Tagabe at Wan Smol Bag. It offers a confidential service providing STI treatments, counselling, family planning (jadelle implant, condoms, pill, etc) and HIV/tests. All you have to do is turn up and register yourself. Donations are welcome but otherwise it is free to receive contraception and sexual health care.

The emergency contraceptive pill is also available and can prevent pregnancy after having unprotected sex. It is sometimes called ‘the morning after pill’ and is 99.9% effective if taken within 24 hours of sexual intercourse.

Sapos yu silip wetem wan boy las naet be yutufala no yusum condom, yu go luk KPH Clinic lo Tagabe. Olgeta hemi save giv wan emergency contraceptive tablet lo yu, afta bae yu no save kasam bel. Yu mus kai kai tablet no bitim wan day afta yu gat sex. Sapos no, hemi no effective tumas.

KPH clinic also has a group of peer educators who run workshops and visit communities and schools to provide information on sexual health. They also distribute free condoms. Condoms are available at the reception area at KPH Clinic for you to take. Open from Monday to Friday, between 8am-12pm, then 1:30pm-4:30pm, please call 25895 for more information or visit Wan Smol Bag’s website.

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In Unity Our Advocacy Becomes a Chorus The women working to end violence in Vanuatu September 14, 2023
What comes to mind when you think of the Pacific? The rhetoric usually centres on happiness and holidays, cocktails by the beach and the cordial welcome received from locals wherever one may travel. The shout of Bula in Fiji, a Welkam in Vanuatu, or a Malo e lelei in Tonga. While that story does indeed ring true for many, there is another story that needs to be told: the work of an incredible cohort across the region working to combat, and end, all forms of violence against women. The Pacific region has some of the highest rates of violence against women in the world, with up to 68 percent of women having reported experiencing physical or sexual violence by a partner in their lifetime. This figure is more than twice the global average. Pacific Women Lead’s 2021 National Survey on Women’s Lives and Family Relationships evidenced amongst those women who have ever had an intimate sexual relationship with a partner in Vanuatu: 60 percent had experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime 68 percent had experienced emotional violence 28 percent were subjected to several forms of control by their partner 69 percent experienced at least one form of coercive control, and most of these were continuing to live lives involving physical and sexual violence Women are constantly at risk of violence and threats, regardless of where they are. Women are not safe on the streets, in their homes, at work, in places of study, places of worship, or places of recreation. Any small change is a step in the right direction The global Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls is a United Nations joint initiative supported by the European Union and other partners. The Spotlight Initiative in the Pacific focuses its work on four key pillars: Policy and legislation Institutions Prevention Data A comprehensive approach is being implemented within the Pacific nations through the targeting of multiple settings for change such as the education sector, government, churches, the justice sector, and civil society organisations (CSOs), and by working across a variety of levels of the socio-ecological model. UNDP’s support to Vanuatu via the Spotlight Initiative sees it working with small, grassroots organisations – making an impact from the ground up. Through the establishment of a grantee program, UNDP Pacific has undertaken a second phase and partnered with six grassroots organisations on empowering women in rural communities, initiating a range of activities that, in many cases, support service provision, innovative solutions and engagement activities that aim to provide information and basic services to those who otherwise lack access. These grants go a long way and have made significant impact thus far, with the program also identifying those grassroots organisations who have the capacity to engage communities nationwide in the provision of justice, health, and economic support services to survivors of intimate partner violence. However, in Vanuatu, it is a far greater challenge to change this deeply ingrained behaviour; it is the kind of change that requires more than the delivery of an awareness session in a small community, or within the nakamal, should deep, long-lasting behavioural change occur. The way we now frame the topic has completely changed And as a result, the narrative is now changing. For sustainable, long-term progress on ending violence against women, men, women, and children; young, old and those in between, all must unite in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV). “The way we now frame the topic has completely changed, it’s no longer just a women’s problem. While the vast majority of perpetrators are men, if we want to make change, we need to realise that this can only be done via a whole-of-community approach,” said Dr. Astrid Kersten, Executive Director of Human Capacity Development International (HCDI). HCDI take a whole-of-community approach to their work, collaborating with village chiefs all the way through to younger members of the community. This approach sees a broad cross-section of voices and opinions accounted for, ensuring that through community buy-in the behaviour change work they undertake is sustainable in the long-term. As one of the recipient organisations (alongside their partner, Sista) to receive a grant via the Spotlight Initiative, HCDI and Sista focused on two key activities: The development of community resources to assist in community awareness development and collective action, related to reducing GBV; and To build on and promote the Stanap Strong website as a resource to support victims, families of victims, and the general population. HCDI and Sista are making inroads and inspiring change, no doubt, but Astrid still has moments of self-doubt as to just how much progress they are making on ending violence against women. “I do keep thinking, ‘is this really making a difference?’ It is still hard going, training and capacity building are still key right across Vanuatu, and we need continued support to help us beyond the Spotlight Initiative. “These grants may be small but with our work it doesn’t take a whole lot of money to ensure that we can have significant impact,” she said. When you lift up women you lift the entire community When the grassroots organisation Sista was established in 2016, its main purpose was to create a space for Ni-Vanuatu women to connect, share and uplift each other. Sista began its journey as an online magazine and over the past eight years has evolved into a women’s rights organisation driven by feminist values. Josephine Tarianga serves as Sista’s Resource Coordinator, a powerhouse of a young woman. Having worked as a journalist, at just 22 she is not only working with Sista, and Vanuatu’s We Rise Coalition, she is also studying a double degree of Law and Commerce with the University of the South Pacific. Blending her passions of media and communications with furthering women’s rights, Josephine says that just because you’re a feminist, it doesn’t equate to you not being committed to your community. “Things are still very male dominated here, but at the same time change is in the air. Women are the focal read more…

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VANGO Chairman Calls for NGO, CSO Registration Ahead of Mapping Exercise September 14, 2023
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Quai to Launch New EP Album and Raise Funds for Children’s Ward September 14, 2023
Vanuatu’s music icon, Vanessa Quai, is gearing up for a special concert on the 5th of October. The primary objective of this event is to unveil her highly anticipated Extended Play (EP) Album, while also mobilising resources to support the Children’s Ward. Miss Quai revealed that her inspiration for this charitable endeavour stemmed from a conversation with a doctor from the Children’s Ward. The doctor had shared the pressing need for a new heart-scanning machine dedicated to paediatric patients, as the current one is outdated and unreliable. “Upon learning of this critical need, I felt compelled to leverage my platform to raise funds and contribute to the Children’s Ward,” explained Quai. She announced the release of six exceptional songs, marked by the lyrical inspiration she has poured into them. These tracks are the result of collaborations with talented producers and featured artists. “After a hiatus of five years since my last album, ‘Light it up,’ I am excited to release new songs this year in the form of an EP album,” she said. The concert, slated for the Warwick Le Lagon, promises to be a delightful evening reminiscent of a buffet night. Attendees can savor a sumptuous buffet dinner and enjoy complimentary drinks while being entertained. Quai will grace the stage with an hour-long performance, followed by other esteemed artists from Port Vila, including Sheila Wilz, Dalinda, Max Albert, Tujah, and the KR dancers. Ms Quai disclosed ticket details, with adult tickets priced at VT7,000 and children’s tickets at VT5,000. Attendees are encouraged to hold onto their tickets, as there will be raffle prizes to be won, and some lucky patrons may even depart with a complimentary EP album. Quai encourages everyone to support the concert, adding the money spent on tickets not only grants access to an unforgettable event but also serves as a meaningful donation towards enhancing the Children’s Ward. “Your attendance will make a real difference in the lives of our young patients,” she said. _________________________________________________________ SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Consultation on GBV Response Marks Progress in Gender Equality Policy September 11, 2023
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Vanuatu Introduces Provincial Disability Officers and Committees September 6, 2023
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