Gender-based violence crisis centres from six countries in the Pacific have faced not only the COVID-19 crisis, but also in some countries, the dual impact of a tropical cyclone. UN Women’s Ending Violence Against Women and Girls programme works in close collaboration with government, civil society organisations, communities and other partners to promote gender equality, prevent violence against women and girls, and increase access to quality response services for survivors, especially during emergencies.

Market vendors in Fiji, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands joined UN Women in celebrating International Day of Rural Women on Wednesday, highlighting the crucial roles rural women play in ensuring the health and wellbeing of their families and communities, as well as their countries’ economic productivity.

Honaria’s central market in the Solomon Islands was dirty, crowded, and well known for petty crime and harassment – particularly for its mainly-women vendors. For many, making it “women friendly” was a lost cause.