Violence against women in Melanesia and East Timor

The Office of Development Effectiveness has undertaken a study to assess the effectiveness of methods currently being used to address violence against women and girls in five of Australia's neighbouring countries: Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and East Timor. The result is a package of reports that outlines the perspectives and hopes of a broad spectrum of Melanesian and East Timorese society. The study used a participatory approach to gather input from over 700 individuals from government and civil society. The effectiveness of local and international approaches was assessed using this approach and the result is a framework for action that seeks to reduce the incidence of violence against women and improve support services. The three key areas identified in the framework are: increasing women's access to justice; increasing women's access to support services; and, preventing violence.