17 Jul 2017

Vanuatu govt speaks out on gender violence

8:30 am on 17 July 2017
Vanuatu parliament building in the capital Port Vila.

Vanuatu parliament building in the capital Port Vila. Photo: RNZI/ Walter Zweifel

The Vanuatu Ministry of Justice and Community Services has spoken out strongly about violence against women and girls.

The Daily Post newspaper reports the minister, Ronald Warsal, saying that he is is deeply concerned by the recent increase in reported violent attacks on women across Vanuatu.

He said the violent attacks by men on women and girls were criminal acts that violated the victims' fundamental human rights.

The minister also said the violence deprived families and communities of the opportunity to grow and be enriched by the active participation and contribution of women.

He said all women had the right to feel safe in their own homes, communities and public places.

Mr Warsal said the focus must go on destroying the deeply entrenched and harmful attitudes that lie at the heart of violence, not on restricting and controlling women's and girls' behaviour and mobility.

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