Aid group welcomes new government funding for women and education in the Pacific

Thursday, September 8, 2011

World Vision Australia today welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of additional funding to improve education and the treatment of women in the Pacific. 

At this week’s Pacific Islands Forum in New Zealand the government pledged an additional $124.5 million in funding to education in the Pacific over the next four years, and extra funding to improve services for women who have experienced violence. 

“Violence against women, including sexual violence, is widespread in many of the countries in the Pacific,” said World Vision’s Head of International Programs Kerin Ord. 

“The causes of violence against women are complex and stem from many things including poverty, gender inequality, the low status of women in society and women’s economic dependence on men. 

“Such a complex issue needs a broad approach and World Vision is pleased to see the government is not only increasing its funding to provide services for women who have been the victims of violence, but that it is also expanding its support to projects that are working to change community attitudes towards violence. 

“The key to overcoming gender based violence is to change the way the community thinks about and treats women. Empowering women with the knowledge they have the same rights and are of equal value to men is vital. But equally important is to actively engage with men to change their behaviour towards women. 

“Given the huge level of violence in the Pacific and the cost of violence to society, World Vision encourages the government to continue to increase its commitment in this area.” 

The World Health Organisation said this week that violence accounts for more than 1.5 million deaths every year, and that a significant number of women report experiencing physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner at some point in their lives. 

Ms Ord said World Vision also welcomed the news the Australian Government had pledged additional funding to education in the Pacific over the next four years. 

“Education plays a central role in helping a community overcome poverty. Through education children are given the opportunity to improve their living standards and health,” she said. 

“Unfortunately, many children in the Pacific do not have access to a formal education or to early childhood education. 

“World Vision hopes this new funding will help the government broaden its approach to education in the Pacific to make sure school attendances not only increase, but that schools are sufficiently equipped and have well-trained teachers ensuring better learning outcomes for students.” 

In 2010 World Vision Australia ran 324 projects in Asia and the Pacific and assisted almost 1 million people with emergency relief. 

ENDS 

Kerin Ord is available for media interviews. Please contact World Vision Australia media officer on 0457 926 018. 

Media Releases, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, Australian Government, Forced Marriage, Gender Equality, Human Rights, Sexual Assault, WHO, Women's Rights

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