[TimorLesteStudies] Various AusAID Reports: Violence against Women in Melanesia and East Timor: Building on Global and Regional Promising Approaches

[Bu Wilson]

Violence against Women in Melanesia and East Timor: Building on Global and
Regional Promising Approaches

http://www.ode.ausaid.gov.au/news/news08.html


Violence against women is a serious global problem, affecting all countries
around the world, including Australia. It causes immeasurable trauma to
women, families and communities and is an abuse of basic human rights.

In Melanesia and East Timor, violence against women is severe, pervasive and
constrains development. The impacts of violence against women include
escalating health care, social services, policing and justice system costs
and restrict women's participation in political, social and economic life.

In every country where violence against women is high, cultural and economic
factors play a critical role in promoting and condoning violence as a
legitimate way to resolve conflict. The poor status of women is a major
obstacle to reducing violence against them.

AusAID's 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 were 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.


Bu Wilson
Regulatory  Institutions Network (RegNet) Research School of Pacific and
Asian Studies
College of Asia and the Pacific,
Australian National University 
Canberra   ACT   0200 
AUSTRALIA 

T: 02 6125 3194
F: 02 6125 1507
M: 0407 087 086
E: Bu.Wilson at anu.edu.au



http://regnet.anu.edu.au 

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