Pacific Women Plan For The Future

Pacific Women Plan For The Future

4 March 2001

Network Against Violence Against Women.

For more information contact: Shamima Ali Ph: (679) 992 875
All press releases and updates on the third regional Meeting on Violence Against Women, can be accessed on
our website http://www.fijiwomen.com

SUVA: Members of the Pacific Women's Network Against
Violence Against Women have concluded their third
regional meeting with the drawing up of a set of
resolutions that will provide the framework for their
work over the next four years, a conference media
release says.

Many of the resolutions reflect the ongoing nature of
the network's work, such as the continuation of
counselling and support services, community awareness
on the issue of violence against women and children,
and lobbying for policy and legislative reform to
promote and protect women's human rights.

A new focus for the network that was addressed in
detail during the meeting was the effect of armed
conflict on women and children. In the preamble to
the resolutions, the network states that they
"recognise the links between the existence of armed
military units and the resulting acceptance of a
culture of violence."

The network has resolved to work in solidarity with
women to address human rights violations in areas
under armed conflict, and to support the work of
women's organisations that are already working towards
peace. One of the network members, the Leitana Nehan
Women's Development Agency, has been awarded the
Millenium Peace Prize for Women for their contribution
towards the peacebuilding process in Bougainville.

The network has also resolved to include the active
participation of young people in the programmes of the
network and to maintain the Young People's Forum as a
space for them to address violations of their human
rights. It was the first time that a Young People's
Forum was included in the regional meeting of the
network.

The resolutions were signed by representatives from 21
of the organisations within the Pacific Women's
Network Against Violence Against Women.

ENDS

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