Violence against women (VAW) is defined by the UN as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private

life.”

1 Such violence is not limited to a specific culture, country, region, or to particular groups within a society. VAW affects all societies, including the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). It not only has a direct impact on women who experience violence, but it also affects their families and community at large. Consequently, VAW also reinforces other forms of violence prevalent in society.