Economic empowerment key to addressing gender based violence in the Pacific

Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Meg Taylor said women’s economic empowerment and sustainable development are central to the Pacific’s approach for addressing gender based violence in a speech for Gender Month.

“While there is still much to be done to address the issue of gender based violence in the Pacific, I do believe that there now exists a strong regional platform by which to maintain momentum and pressure on this issue. And our regional commitments are also well supported by the recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals. As I am sure you are all aware, SDG 5 acknowledges the intrinsic connection between women’s equality and sustainable development. SDG 5 also identifies as a specific target the elimination of ‘all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.’

Read Meg Taylor’s full Gender Month speech at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.