13 June 2012
Stop violence against women: Australia gives $750,000 to human rights champions
Australia is providing $750,000 (A$100,000) to respected NGO Live and Learn Environmental Education to train and mobilise 50 men to be ‘human rights champions’ in 20 settlements around Honiara to advocate against violence and sexual abuse against women.
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Matt Anderson launched the Men Against Violence Against Women program today in Honiara.
“Solomon Islands is making progress towards achieving peace, stability and economic growth but violence against women remains a great concern and is an issue we cannot ignore,” said Mr Anderson.
Mr Anderson said the World Bank’s 2012 Gender Report stated that 64% of women in Solomon Islands would suffer from violence and sexual abuse at some point in their lives.
“This figure is among the highest in the world, with the husband the aggressor in over 95 per cent of domestic assaults in the Pacific region.”
“Australia’s support for the Live and Learn program directly targets men who are usually the perpetrators of violence against women, teaching other men to respect the women in their lives and protect their human rights.”
From L-R: High Commissioner, Matt Anderson, Pr Bruce Likaveke, Gideon Omokirio, Commins Menapi, Pr Hennessey Maetala
Live and Learn Country Manager, Johnson Fangalasuu, said the program challenges men to play an active role in their communities to reduce violence against women.
“It is unfair to rely on women-led initiatives only to tackle this problem. If men are the cause of the problem, they must also be part of the solution,” said Johnson.
Mr Anderson said Australia provides funding to non-government organisations through the Human Rights Grants Scheme to reduce violence against women and is also working with Solomon Islands through the Australian aid program to reduce violence against women.
“Supporting Solomon Islands Government to improve gender equality and reduce gender based violence is a central theme of the Solomon Islands-Australia Partnership for Development,” Mr Anderson said.
“Gender inequality remains one of the most challenging issues in the Solomon Islands, restricting economic and social progress, with root causes often lying in community attitudes, norms and power structures.”