Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister is pledging to do more to combat his country's high levels of violence against women.
Australia has announced a 330 million US dollar initiative to help women in the Pacific, including supporting gender equality in parliaments, economic opportunities, and to improve safety for women.
Papua New Guinea elected three women in its recent elections, but Peter O'Neill acknowledges that violence against women remains a huge problem.
"I think more needs to be done, we are as government taking that responsibility seriously, we are working together with many of the NGO groups in the country to ensure that there is awareness among families, in particular the remote communities through out our country."
The Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill.
Today, the leaders are to hold their retreat on Aitutaki, where they are expected to discuss a resolution on gender equality to be included in their end of meeting communique.
