According to the survey, seven out of 10 women in Vanuatu (71 per cent) have experienced one or more forms of violence or abuse from a husband or partner. This includes physical, sexual, emotional and economic abuse that affects the physical and mental wellbeing of women and girls.

Executive Director of VWC, Vola Matas, said understanding the causes of violence is essential if the country wants to eliminate it.

“Violence against women and girls is nearly everywhere and Vanuatu is no exception,” she said.

The survey also found that three in 10 women (30 per cent) are currently experiencing either physical or sexual violence, while more than one in 10 women (12 per cent) reported being physically assaulted during pregnancy. Of those cases, 41 per cent involved women being beaten or kicked in the stomach.

Technology-facilitated abuse is also becoming more common. The study found that 19 per cent of women have experienced violence linked to technology in their lifetime, while 14 per cent reported such abuse in the last 12 months. This includes monitoring or controlling women through mobile phones or online platforms.

Some of these cases occur when partners are working overseas, but the majority still happen within the country.

“Some of this abuse occurs when husbands or partners are working overseas, but most of it is occurring at home in Vanuatu,” Matas explained.

The research also shows that disasters increase the risk of violence, with 32 per cent of women who have had partners reporting physical or sexual violence during or shortly after a humanitarian disaster.

To better understand the issue, the VWC uses what it calls a “problem tree” framework, which looks at both the visible forms of violence and the deeper causes behind them.

“Like a tree, violence against women and girls has roots – deep in our society, behaviours and cultural and gender norms,” Matas said.

She added that the main underlying cause identified by the research is the power imbalance between men and women and the lack of respect for human rights.

The centre has been running awareness and outreach programmes to address these issues and promote gender equality. Last year alone, the organisation held 160 awareness sessions involving more than 12,000 community members across the country.

“We work with male allies to talk about gender inequality. This is a way to stop the violence before it starts — not just cutting down a few pieces of the problem, but uprooting it at the core,” Matas said.

The research also highlighted several contributing factors that increase the likelihood of violence. These include alcohol and drug use, increased access to telecommunications without adequate protections for women and girls, isolation, migration, natural disasters and limited access to services such as healthcare and support.

VWC works closely with police, health services and community leaders to reduce these risks while also providing support services to survivors through its hotline and mobile counselling units.

Despite the concerning findings, the organisation says there are signs of progress. Since the first national survey on violence against women, the overall prevalence rate has dropped by nine per cent, a decline that is faster than the global average and higher than many countries in the Asia-Pacific region with comparable data.

“This reduction reflects the dedicated investments in women-led interventions and increased commitments by police, health services, community leaders and committees working to end violence against women,” Matas said.

She stressed that ending violence requires action from all sectors of society.

“Only by addressing the roots can we ensure a safe future for every woman and girl in Vanuatu,” she added.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST