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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.

Responding to Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence against Women and Girls

According to the World Risk Index 2014, the Pacific has four (Vanuatu, Tonga, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea) of the top ten countries at greatest risk. Vanuatu is at the top of the list. In previous years, Fiji was also included among the top ten.

National Research Project onViolence Against Women in Palau October 2014 Belau Family Health and Safety Study Executive Summary The Belau Family Health and Safety Study (FHSS) aimed at obtaining reliable data on the prevalence and types of violence against women (VAW) in Palau. The study also sought to document the associations between partner violence and health issues and other outcomes, as well as to identify risk and protective factors for partner violence. The Ministry of Health carried out the study with financial support from the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and financial and technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

While remarkable progress has been achieved during the past decade protecting the health and rights of women and adolescent girls in humanitar- ian settings, the growth in need has outstripped the growth in funding and services. Yet, these services are of critical importance, especially for very young adolescent girls, who are the most vulnerable and least able to confront the many challenges they face, even in stable times.

Migration is one of the most important forces affecting change in societies around the world. There are many different reasons for migration and these relate to movements that range from those that are voluntary through to those that result from circumstances beyond the control of migrants. Migration is often undertaken to increase the opportunities available to migrants in relation to education, employment or a better lifestyle in general.  

Ageing refers to the process whereby an increasing proportion of a population is aged 60 years and over. Up until the 1980s, most Pacific Island populations were either ageing slowly or not at all and the proportion of the population over 60 years remained below 6 percent. Median age remained within the range of 16-20 years. In the last two decades of the 20th century the pace of ageing accelerated and is projected to reach a peak around 2025. The number of older persons in the Pacific is projected to increase at an average annual rate of 3.7 percent between 2014 and 2050 and to grow in number from around 512 thousand to 2 million. The oldest old (80 years and over) is currently growing at a faster rate than the 60 and over age group. The oldest old are projected to increase at an average annual rate of 5 percent between 2014 and 2050 and by 2050 there will be 205 thousand persons aged 80 and over.

This report provides a summary of updated population and development profiles of 15 Pacific countries. Four of these countries (Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Vanuatu) are classified as Least Developed Countries (LDCs). All of these countries are politically independent, as are Fiji, Nauru and Tonga. Three countries (Palau, Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia) are associated to the United States through a Compact of Free Association. Two countries (Cook Islands and Niue) are self governing in free association with New Zealand, and the Tokelau Island is a dependent territory of New Zealand. The political status of each of the 15 countries has important consequences for both demographic dynamics and the level of development and how they are linked. With respect to Violence Against Women (VAW) national prevalence, the data was generated using WHO household survey methodology, with UNFPA technical support, in a majority of the Pacific countries. The primary data source for the core population indicators is the respective national census reports, although other national sources such as Demographic Health Surveys have also been used where appropriate.