The consultation on the Multi-Service Delivery Protocol (MSDP) for responding to cases of gender-based violence is being held this week in Port Vila.

The two-day consultation is co-hosted by UN Women and the Department of Women Affairs.

This very important consultation is in line with the National Policy on Gender Equality which is in the process to complete.

There are 5 different strategic areas in the policy and Vanuatu is focusing on strategic area 1 which states "eliminate decimation and violence against women and girls."

Within the region, Vanuatu has one of the highest rates, with 60 percent of women aged 15 to 49 experiencing physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime, 68 percent experiencing emotional violence, and 69 percent experiencing coercive control by an intimate partner.

The Acting Director General of the Ministry of Justice and Community Services, Pacco Siri, officially opened the two-day meeting.

He expressed his appreciation to all those present for working towards gender equality to improve the lives of families, especially women, children, and people with disabilities.

This MSDP national consultation is a continuation of the provincial consultations held in 2019 and 2020.

However, due to COVID-19 and a series of hurricanes in recent years, we were unable to convene this national consultation and complete this important work.

Mr. Siri is very pleased to see the commitment of partners and the national government to ensure that this national document is developed to address the issue of coordinating services for survivors needed by victims and survivors of violence.

The Acting Director General said our vision is for all family members to live in a safe and secure home, communities, islands, and Vanuatu as a safe country.

The National Sustainable Development Plan 2030 identifies the importance of working together to address gender-based violence under the Society Pillar.

Reports show that during natural disasters the rate of Gender Base Violence in Vanuatu is very high.