By Kambes Kesolei
In the global context, gender-based violence (GBV) persists as a formidable public health crisis, affecting women and girls universally. Despite age, race, or socioeconomic status, 31% of women aged 15-49 in Palau experience intimate partner violence, surpassing the global average (World Bank, 2023). Addressing this, Palau enacted the Palau Family Protection Act (FPA) in August 2010, underlining the government’s commitment to combat family violence comprehensively.
RPPL No. 8-51, FPA’s enabling legislation, a crucial legal instrument offering protection and effective remedies against family violence. Comprising three main sections, including a short title, legislative findings, and amendments to Title 21 of the Palau National Code, the FPA recognizes family violence as a serious crime against society.
In this landscape, the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MHHS) spearheads GBV-specific initiatives.
The PAL: COVID-19 Response for Affected Poor and Vulnerable Groups Project, with a $209,000 USD budget over two years, is implemented by the MHHS’s Division of Human Services. This project, facilitated by service providers BANGO and SKO, stands as the sole initiative in Palau with specific GBV outputs.
However, challenges in public finance management (PFM) have surfaced, impacting institutions crucial to combating GBV. Notably, the Palau Courts, responsible for protection order petitions and case monitoring, faced a budget reduction of $20,000 USD in the FPA Victims Assistance Fund in 2020.
The broader PFM mechanisms shaping the fight against GBV in Palau are evident in state budget allocations. The 2024 budget allocates $3,139,666 USD to the Judicial Branch without specific provisions for GBV judicial processes. Similarly, the MHHS, with a total budget allocation of $11,937,815 USD, lacks identifiable specific allocations for GBV, constituting approximately 1.5% of the total MHHS budget.
In this complex financial landscape, Stella Fixico emerges as a symbol of resilience. Her journey, marked by abuse, unexpected pregnancies, and abusive marriages, culminated in her triumphant graduation with an Associate of Science Degree in Community and Public Health at the age of 50.
Stella’s transformation from victim to hero gained momentum during her volunteer work at the Palau Red Cross Society. Overhearing a conversation about family abuse related to the PAL: COVID-19 Response Project, she found a platform to share her story. This unexpected turn led to a profound decision to empower others facing similar challenges.
Her courageous step into the public sphere was not without hurdles. In Palau’s close-knit society, where private struggles often stay within families, Stella’s decision to share her story exposed societal taboos. Yet, supported by her daughters and mother, she emerged as a vocal advocate against GBV.
Stella’s story resonates with many who have faced abuse, prompting an outpouring of support and acknowledgment. Her collaboration with the Advocacy Group for Gender-Based Violence has further amplified her impact, reaching traditional women’s groups and community organizations, as well as radio and television audiences. 3 In the few months since her public revelation, Stella has become a hero, not just for herself but for countless individuals suffering in silence. Her impact is tangible, as evidenced by the heartfelt response from her community.
Sylvia Kloulubak, program manager of the Advisory Group on Gender-Based Violence, recognizes Stella’s significance in delivering a powerful message to the community. Kloulubak emphasizes the importance of breaking the silence surrounding GBV, challenging societal stigmas that have historically kept such issues under wraps.
As Stella continues her mission, volunteering at the Palau Red Cross Society and envisioning a sanctuary for victims of violence, the role of PFM becomes crucial. The integration of gender perspectives in PFM systems will not only ensure sustained funding for GBV interventions but also catalyze mobilization to end GBV.
The PAL: COVID-19 Response Project serves as a prime example, showcasing the need for institutionalizing national mechanisms to fight GBV through sustainable financing processes. Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) emerges as a tool that, if implemented, could significantly increase allocations to GBV in Palau.
Stella Fixico’s heroic journey stands as a testament to the power of resilience and the collective efforts needed to combat GBV. As Palau navigates the complex financial landscape of PFM, Stella’s story illuminates the path forward—a path that integrates finance, advocacy, and the unwavering spirit of individuals like her in the pursuit of a violence-free society.
About the article:
This story was one of six Human-Interest stories from media professionals in four different Pacific Island Countries (PICs) that focused on the role of government in managing public funds, i.e. public finance.
These stories were crafted during and after a training on public finance management media coverage supported by the European Union through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Vaka Pasifika Project and in collaboration with the Pacific Islands News Agency (PINA). 5 Link to the published stories: https://www.undp.org/pacific/publications/publicfinance-management-human-interest-