Pacific Women plan for the future
Posted 8th March 2001

SUVA: Members of the Pacific Women¹s Network Against Violence Against Women have concluded their third regional meeting with the drawing up of a set of resolutions that will provide the framework for their work over the next four years, a conference media release says. Many of the resolutions reflect the ongoing nature of the network¹s work, such as the continuation of counselling and support services, community awareness on the issue of violence against women and children, and lobbying for policy and legislative reform to promote and protect women¹s human rights. A new focus for the network that was addressed in detail during the meeting was the effect of armed conflict on women and children. In the preamble to the resolutions, the network states that they "recognise the links between the existence of armed military units and the resulting acceptance of a culture of violence."

The network has resolved to work in solidarity with women to address human rights violations in areas under armed conflict, and to support the work of women¹s organisations that are already working towards peace. One of the network members, the Leitana Nehan Women¹s Development Agency, has been awarded the Millenium Peace Prize for Women for their contribution towards the peacebuilding process in Bougainville. The network has also resolved to include the active participation of young people in the programmes of the network and to maintain the Young People¹s Forum as a space for them to address violations of their human rights. It was the first time that a Young People¹s Forum was included in the regional meeting of the network. The resolutions were signed by representatives from 21 of the organisations within the Pacific Women¹s Network Against Violence Against Women. For more information contact: Shamima Ali Ph: (679) 992 875 All press releases and updates on the third regional Meeting on Violence Against Women, can be accessed on our www.fijiwomen.com