Pacific Regional Workshop on Strengthening Partnerships for Eliminating Violence Against Women

17-19 February 2003, Suva, Fiji

Outcome Statement

Violence against women is endemic in Pacific countries

1. The 1993 United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women defines Violence against Women as any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats or such acts, as coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.

2. The 1995 Beijing Platform for Action, endorsed by Pacific countries, agreed on a comprehensive set of recommendations to address the issue of gender-based violence.  The UN General Assembly adopted GA Resolution 50/166, which emphasized the need for full implementation of the Platform for Action by governments and other social actors. Commonwealth Ministers of Gender Affairs reiterated their concern for the continued acts of violence against women in their 6th Women’s Affairs Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi (2000) which was expressed in the Commonwealth Plan of Action on Gender and Development.  The 1994 Pacific Platform for Action endorsed by the Pacific Ministers identified violence against women as a critical area of concern and urged the Pacific to work towards eliminating violence against women and children.

3. The workshop expressed concern about the significant under-reporting of and the extent of violence against women in the Pacific Region.

Strengthening partnerships

4. A regional workshop on "Strengthening Partnerships for Eliminating Violence Against Women" was jointly organized by UNIFEM Pacific, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community from 17-19 February 2003.  The meeting brought together representatives of government, non-government organizations (NGOs), civil society groups, regional-level inter-governmental organizations and international development partners, for a constructive dialogue. Participants came from x  Pacific Island Countries and territories. The presentations and discussions focused on deepening an understanding of violence against women, sharing experiences and approaches, methodologies and training tools, good practices and the pressing need to institutionalise policy frameworks to support the elimination of violence against women at the local, national, regional and international levels.

5. The workshop acknowledged the work of the Pacific Women's Network Against Violence Against Women.  The workshop built and complemented current efforts of Governments, NGOs and other international and regional organizations who have undertaken a range of measures to address violence against women.

Action is required now

6. The participants recognised the workshop was timely, given two years after the declaration and adoption of the Millennium Development Goals by world leaders; and eight years after the Beijing Platform of Action and the Pacific Platform for Action, in which the elimination of all forms of violence against women was a key objective.  The workshop therefore provided the Pacific region with an excellent opportunity to further explore and proposed recommendations to enhance levels of government commitment to implementation measures, establish stronger and more effective partnerships, and develop practical recommendations for eliminating violence against women at national and regional level.

Good Governance includes gender equality

7. The workshop noted that good governance is about the appropriate allocation and proper management of financial and human resources and the promotion of gender equality and equity.  Yet men are the main decision-makers in the region and it is essential not to exclude or suppress the full potential of women.

8. The biggest challenge faced by women in many of the Pacific island societies is that of being acknowledged as equal partners in social, cultural, political and economic development in their communities, countries and territories.  Women and women's work are not recognized in many successful development efforts in the Pacific.

Some religious and cultural practices have victimized and oppressed women

9. The workshop discussed and agreed that violence against women is a priority issue for action in the Pacific region because it is a major human rights issue affecting women. There is a significant interplay between traditions, culture, religion, education, community expectations, the role of women and power relations in contributing to this problem.

10. The workshop considered the challenges and potential of culture and religion in eliminating violence against women.  It was suggested that traditional reconciliation practices can promote a culture of silence towards victims and protects the perpetrators of violence.

11. The workshop strongly recommended that some cultural and religious practices need to be re-examined to support rather than victimize women.

Current approaches are uncoordinated

12. An integrated approach for addressing violence against women was presented as a model for developing regional and national plans of action to contribute to the elimination of violence against women.  It requires a coordinated multi-sectoral policy and implementation framework.  Central concepts include the need to view violence as a public, not private issue; to explore the root causes, not symptoms of violence only; and to develop action strategies with all stakeholders to avoid duplication of efforts and resources. Violence was recognised as a development issue.

Violence costs

13. The workshop discussed and viewed with great concern the high cost of violence on societies in particular the economic impacts of violence against women and children.  Governments were urged to calculate the costs. Current ratios presented suggest up to 7% of GDP if direct and indirect costs are considered.

Regional approaches can help

14. The workshop heard of and acknowledged the ongoing work of the Pre- and Forum Regional Security Committee Meeting and the specialist law enforcement agencies, the Oceanic Customs Organisation, Pacific Island Law Officers Meeting, South Pacific Chiefs of Police Conference, Pacific Island Immigration Directors Conference in conjunction with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, in the areas of sex crime legislation, capacity building through regional workshops with Police training and cooperation with NGOs to counter sex related and transnational crimes, for example pornography through internet, people smuggling and trafficking of persons especially women and children.  The workshop urged that such agencies consider actions be included to eliminate all forms of violence but particularly violence against women and children. Support for community violence reduction approaches will enhance community safety and security.

15. Regional initiatives and programmes developed by multilateral agencies such as UNIFEM and other donors play a vital role in eliminating violence against women. The workshop urged a coordinated approach to ensure that efforts are complementary and to avoid duplication.

Law enforcement and cooperation is critical

16. The workshop was informed of the value of the Combined Law Agency Group (CLAG) concept and noted it as a tool to assist agencies in monitoring the activities of and investigate those perpetrating cross-border crimes or multiple crimes, including trafficking of people, and pornography and urged attention to impacts on women and children.

17. The workshop agreed that domestic violence legislation is essential. Existing laws need to be reviewed and concerted efforts be made to enact existing legislation where it exists in draft form.

Ethnic and armed conflict increases gender-based violence

18. The workshop viewed with concern the negative social and economic impacts of armed conflict on the lives of women and children. It therefore strongly urged governments, NGOs, churches, community leaders, regional and international institutions and development partners to take appropriate action to address issues and concerns for women and children arising from ethnic and armed conflict situations. The workshop also reaffirmed its support for the work that UNIFEM and other regional organizations are doing in the region in addressing women, peace and security issues including specific areas on:

• Research, data collection and analysis
• Capacity building
• Information dissemination and advocacy on issues on violence against women and child abuse
• Trauma and therapy counselling
• Conflict resolution, human rights, good governance, legal literacy and restorative justice.

The workshop reiterated the important and often complex roles women play as peacemakers and bridge-builders in ethnic and armed conflict situations. The workshop therefore calls for recognition and involvement by government, NGOs, civil society, regional institutions and development partners to solicit necessary support for women to effectively play their role as bridge-builders and peace-makers.

20. The workshop also noted the involvement of youth in ethnic and armed conflict and viewed with concern the negative effects this has had on their livelihoods. It therefore called on governments, NGOs, women's groups, churches, civil society, regional institutions, development partners to initiate and support development efforts aimed at addressing problems affecting youth as a direct or indirect consequence of ethnic and armed conflict.

Conclusion

21. As a critical area of focus under the Pacific Platform for Action, the Secretariat for the Pacific Community was encouraged to further the activities to eliminate violence against women and children.

22. Among the critical factors identified for the elimination of violence against women were:

• The need for an integrated national response bringing together key government agencies, NGOs, religious groups and other relevant stakeholders.
• The enactment of new legislation and/or the revision of existing legislation designed to more effectively protect and meet the needs of women.
• Improve sex-disaggregated data collection and gender analysis.
• Gender as a cross-cutting issue.
• A high level of political will and commitment.

Goals and Recommendations

23. The workshop urged, as appropriate, governments, NGOs, regional inter-governmental bodies, agencies, development partners, educational institutions, police, churches, broadcasters, media organizations, community and traditional leaders and other relevant stakeholders, to work with the following goals and recommendations:

National

• Highest political will and commitment is required to eliminate violence against women.
• Countries should be encouraged to ratify international human rights conventions like CEDAW, the Optional Protocols and the CRC, and implement regional agreements like the Honiara and Biketawa Declarations.
• Awareness should be raised to the economic costs of violence against women to spur governments on to curb it.
• Development and implementation of national plans of action to eliminate violence against women should be a priority.
• Co-ordinating bodies, organizational structures and strategies to address violence against women should be established.
• Increased resources and capacity building are required to develop National Women’s Machineries, key Ministries, agencies and organizations, to strengthen their efforts to eliminate violence against women.
• Increase the allocation which provide support services and counseling to survivors of violence against women.
• Efforts should be made to bring more men into the mainstream of work on violence against women.
• Strengthen consultations and partnerships between key ministries, NGOs, community leaders and churches, including women as representatives to negotiate peace and resolve conflicts.
• Address the negative impacts of ethnic and armed conflict.
• Explore opportunities within religious and cultural structures and practices to eliminate violence against women.
• Establish appropriate policies and codes of conduct to address sexual harassment in the workplace.
• Provide technical assistance and support to countries wishing to initiate new research, data collection and analysis on violence against women in Pacific countries and territories.

Regional

• Present the Outcome of this workshop to the SPC-organised 9th Pacific Women's Conference and the Pacific Ministers’ for Women Meeting in 2004.
• Support and participate in, as appropriate, the UNIFEM Pacific programme on conflict and peace-building in four Melanesian countries.
• Support the further development of innovative, regional programmes designed by donors and NGOs to eliminate violence against women.
• Multilateral, donor and regional agencies to work together to ensure that their violence against women programmes are complementary and to reduce duplication of effort.
• Secretariat of the Pacific Community to coordinate regional research study on violence against women.
• Present the Outcome of this workshop to the Heads of Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP).
• Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat to present the Outcome of this workshop to the Forum Regional Security Committee (FRSC) meeting to ensure that the impact of violence against women is considered by leaders at the 2003 Forum.
• The Specialist Law Enforcement agencies through the Pre-FRSC develop an action plan to:
  1. develop and review domestic violence legislation within the region in conjunction with ongoing work relating to sex crimes and ensure domestic violence is legislated against the region;
  2. to increase training opportunities for law enforcement agencies in collaboration with other agencies to implement gender sensitive responses and support "no-drop" policies which will take seriously and effectively address domestic violence and enhance human security situations;  and
  3. to develop and support methods for recording and analyzing sex-disaggregated data on violence against women by the Police and other agencies, for use at policy level.
  4. FRSC to further develop the Community Safety Strategy of the Cook Islands for implementation  in Forum Island Countries.
  5. The Specialist Law Enforcement agencies' action plans be developed and presented to FRSC for endorsement.
• Present the Outcome of this workshop to the Commonwealth Women's Affairs Ministers Meeting to be held in Fiji in 2004.

Research and Education

• Regional, national and community-based research on incidences, responses and impacts of violence against women should be undertaken and shared widely.
• Develop relevant participatory research methods, gender indicators on violence against women, and sex-disaggregated data systems to be used by governments and NGOs for policy and programme development and action strategies.
• Efforts to eliminate gender-based violence through gender sensitive approaches should be incorporated within school curriculums and initiated in non-formal, continuing, adult and community education programs.

Media

• Media has a vital role and responsibility to play in fairly reporting on violence against women, and not perpetuate stereotypical images and violence against women.  Better relations and information sharing should be developed to help in this regard.
• Public awareness and media campaigns on violence issues should be encouraged.
• Media and information, education and communications (IEC) materials in vernacular languages should be developed.

February 19, 2003