Forum Reference Group to address violence

8th March 2011

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Pacific Islands Forum is pleased to announce the second meeting of the Forum’s Reference Group to Address Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) will take place in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, from 9-11 March 2011.

The Reference Group was established in 2010 to guide implementation of the Forum’s 2009 mandate from Leaders to raise awareness of the seriousness of sexual and gender based violence and its impact on the Pacific, and to establish firmly on the political agendas of Forum members the issue of SGBV. Forum Leaders also committed to eradicate SGBV and to ensure all individuals have equal protection of the law and equal access to justice.

Reference Group members agreed at their first meeting on 16 November 2010, that subsequent meetings take place in Forum countries, to provide opportunity to meet with as wide a range of stakeholders as possible across the Forum membership. In acknowledgement of Leaders’ recognition of the importance of local and national level contributions to address SGBV, the visit will also serve as a fact finding mission to inform the Reference Group on how it can better progress the mandate from Forum Leaders.

During its visit, the Reference Group will meet with officials from the ministries responsible for women’s and children’s affairs, health, judicial affairs and security. The Group will also meet with civil society organisations that work on issues relating to SGBV.

The Reference Group members are: Ms Ethel Sigimanu, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry for Women, Youth and Children’s Affairs, Solomon Islands; Mr Teurakai Ukenio, Acting Director Community Development & Social Services Division, Ministry of Internal & Social Affairs, Kiribati; Commissioner Chris Kelley, Royal Tonga Police, Tonga; Ms Elizabeth Cox, Regional Director, UN Women Pacific; Mrs Fekitamoeloa K. ‘Utoikamanu, Deputy Director-General, Secretariat of the Pacific Community; and Ms Shamima Ali, Director, Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre.

ENDS.

© Scoop Media