Outcome FIJ_D_3.3

Legislative and policy frameworks, based on evidence and in line with international human rights standards, on all forms of VAWG and harmful practices are in place and translated into plans

The second meeting of the regional working group was held in August 2021, where representatives of the Government of Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu convened to reflect common issues of concern and reflect on the status of implementation of domestic violence legislation in the Pacific region. This regional platform was also an opportunity for governments to reiterate their commitment to addressing domestic violence issues and rotation of leadership from Fiji and Samoa to Samoa and Nauru as chair and vice-chair. The outcome document acknowledges the importance and the need for continuous collaboration between countries to address common issues of concern, such as the Covid Pandemic and the constant natural disasters that have harmed the implementation of domestic violence. It also Acknowledges that partners have played a key role in supporting governments and ensuring that essential services are available to survivors of violence. Advocacy efforts for the increase of resources available in countries to address VAWG issues continue to be made. Drafts cost packages were developed to inform governments on interventions that can be implemented to address VAWG. These evidence-based tools were a result of a study on the cost of domestic violence/IPV done and capacity-building initiatives implemented in these 3 countries, namely RMI, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands. The commitment of Pacific region countries to implement policies to develop and implement legislation on domestic family protection and domestic violence was renewed with the launch of an outcome document of the regional working group. This was the result of the second meeting of the outcome working group on the implementation of family protection/domestic violence legislation.

Legislative and policy frameworks, based on evidence and in line with international human rights standards, on all forms of VAWG and harmful practices are in place and translated into plans

The Costing of VAWG study (with a focus on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Fiji, Solomon Islands, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands was successfully completed in 2022. The research findings for Solomon Islands and the Republic of the Marshall Islands will be released publicly by the Government of Solomon Islands and UN Women in early 2023. Knowledge products have been developed out of the Study findings. These include the following Policy Briefs and Report Summaries: Republic of the Marshall Islands: Summary Report: Costing the Impact of Intimate Partner Violence and the Resources Require to Address it. Republic of the Marshall Islands Evidence Brief: Costing of the Impact of Intimate Partner Violence and the Resources Require to Address it. Solomon Islands: Summary Report: Costing the Impact of Intimate Partner Violence and the Resources Require to Address it Solomon Islands Evidence Brief: Costing of the Impact of Intimate Partner Violence and the Resources Require to Address it The research findings for Fiji will be released by the Government of Fiji with the launch of the Fiji National Action Plan to End VAWG, anticipated in early 2023. These knowledge products and plan will contribute towards the strengthening of evidence-based knowledge and capacities to assess gaps and draft new and or strengthen existing legislation on ending VAWG. UN Women, through the Spotlight Initiative, provided financial towards the Costing of VAWG Study. The Fiji National Action Plan to End VAWG is also resourced by UN Women through the Pacific Partnership to End VAWG.