25th November 2013
White Ribbon Day keeps focus on efforts to stop violence against women
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and White Ribbon Day Ambassador, Matt Anderson has challenged the men of Solomon Islands to take the White Ribbon Day oath never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.
White Ribbon Day - the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - being marked on Monday, 25 November 2013 reminds people that violence against women and girls is completely unacceptable and needs to stop.
“The women affected by violence are our wives, mothers, sisters, daughters and friends. We owe it to them to take this issue seriously to create a society where violence against women is unacceptable,” Mr Anderson said.
“As a White Ribbon Ambassador, I have taken an oath not to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.”
Mr Anderson said everyone has the right to live a life free of violence.
“By ending violence against women, we help improve women's ability to fully participate in family and community life without fear, and we also give them the chance to contribute socially and economically to the growth and development of Solomon Islands,” he said.
“It is everyone’s responsibility and I encourage everyone to take – and live up to – the White Ribbon Day pledge.”
White Ribbon Day also signals the start of 16 Days of Activism against Violence Against Women, with NGOs and community groups to hold events every day until 10 December to keep the focus on domestic violence issues.
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.”
Mr Anderson said Australia is working with Solomon Islands Government to reduce violence against women. Australia also funds NGOs to run awareness and education programs, such as Live and Learn Environmental Education’s project 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. Support is also provided to the Christian Care Centre, a refuge for women and children escaping violence.