Koror, December 07, 2023 – As part of the line-up of events for the ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’ campaign, a ‘National Forum on Family and Gender-Based Violence’ was held on Wednesday December 6, 2023. Hosted at Ngarachamayong Cultural Center in Koror, the Forum attracted over ninety (90) attendees including Palauan leaders, government officials, diplomats, experts, community organizations and members of the public. The Forum was generously supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and co-organized by the Office of the Vice President and the Ministry of Health and Human Services.
The United Nations-led ’16 Days of Activism’ campaign was adopted in Palau this year via Presidential Proclamation no.23-355.
The attendees heard presentations explaining the prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) around the world and its disproportionate impact on women and girls. US Ambassador to Palau, his Excellency Joel Ehrendreich courageously shared his own childhood experience with domestic violence and his hope that sharing such stories would allow victims to realize that they are not fault.
The attendees also heard that in Palau, a survey conducted in 2013 by the UNFPA found that around 25% of women had experienced physical and/or physical violence in their lifetime. More recent administrative data shows a steady stream of people accessing government services in relation to domestic abuse indicating that it continues to be a significant problem in Palau.
Central to the discussions was acknowledgement of the ongoing work of responding to GBV via the Family Protection Act (FPA). This legislative framework criminalizes domestic abuse and also makes civil protective orders available via the court. The FPA Working Group endorsed its newly amended Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with full signing expected to follow soon. This MOU represents ongoing efforts to develop inter-agency coordination to ensure the effective implementation of the FPA.
Following an address by the UNFPA Director Mr Iori Kato, the UNFPA team ceremonially presented a range of donated items, including tablets, cabinets with remaining items including a Bio-fridge, sexual assault kits, colposcopes and servers to the relevant ministries implementing the FPA.
The Forum was closed out with a speech by Vice President and Minister of Justice, Honorable J. Uduch Sengebau Senior, who thanked the on-the-ground staff for their continued dedication to the implementation of the FPA, and flagged a number of future objectives including the establishment of a shelter for victims, the need to critically analyze the FPA for any flaws, and the need for a new prevalence survey on gender-based violence in Palau.