In a move towards combating violence against women and girls in the Pacific, the Ministry of Women, Community, and Social Development (MWCSD) with UN Women will introduce tools to measure attitudes in the community on the matter.

This is part of Pola Puipui Framework which was launched at the Commonwealth Women’s Forum by Siliniu Lina Chang and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa. It continues to gather momentum with a substantial $850,000 investment aimed at transforming lives and shaping a safer future for women and girls across the region.

The framework’s core objective remains clear: the eradication of violence against women and girls in the Pacific, and this week marked an important milestone in its realisation. 

Key leaders from MWCSD and UN Women have been working closely together to finalise an actionable plan, budget, and strategies that will drive the framework’s success. 

Among the notable contributors to this progress were Edwina Rosemary, UN Women’s Pacific Financial Specialist, and Papali’I Mele Mauala, UN Women’s Samoa Coordinator, who collaborated extensively with MWCSD’s senior management team.

This team includes newly appointed Assistant Chief Executive Officer (ACEO) Governance Aufa’i Alan Aiolupotea, ACEO Policy, Research and Planning Mataia Tiana Tanuvasa, and ACEO. Social Development Sauoaiga Olive Kaio. 

Together, they have set the stage for impactful progress over the next three years.

MWCSD Chief Executive Officer Loau congratulated the team on their hard work and noted the transformative potential of this collaboration. “With the One Ministry's commitment, the tide has turned,” Loau said. “Accelerating progress through these strategic initiatives offers a promising start towards substantial change.”

The next phase of the Pola Puipui Framework will focus on several key areas that will set the foundation for long-term success: institutional strengthening, a core focus will be on improving organisational structures to better support the framework’s mandates. 

This includes refining policy environments and establishing strong governance mechanisms to ensure smooth and effective implementation.

Furthermore, MWCSD is committed to strengthening its workforce. 

This will involve targeted training programs designed to enhance the skills and capabilities of staff members. Additionally, the recruitment of three new specialised team members will bring crucial expertise to the initiative.

In addition, the expansion of services to communities will be a central pillar of the initiative. 

Special emphasis will be placed on early intervention and prevention, with the introduction of the Attitude Assessment Tool, a key tool designed to analyse and shape community attitudes towards violence against women. This tool will play an important role in crafting effective interventions.

Lastly, a robust media campaign will be launched to raise awareness and foster community engagement around the Pola Puipui initiative. By showcasing the ongoing successes and efforts within the framework, the campaign will work towards amplifying the message of zero tolerance for violence.

The $850,000 investment, generously supported by UN Women’s Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls, funded primarily by the Australian Government and the European Union, will provide critical resources to realise these ambitious goals. 

The Pacific Community and the Pacific Islands Forum are also key strategic partners in this transformative effort.

This financial support and collaborative spirit lay a strong foundation for change, ensuring that the necessary resources are available to make a tangible and lasting impact.

The Ministry has invited the community to stay engaged, support these vital efforts, and stand united in the fight against violence in all its forms.