Vanuatu sees historic drop in violence against women after 15 years of progress

A new national survey reveals a steady decline in violence against women in Vanuatu. The 2024 study shows a 9 percentage point drop in physical or sexual abuse by partners over 15 years. While progress has been made, challenges like high rates of coercive control and childhood sexual abuse remain. The Second National Survey on Women's Lives and Family Relationships, conducted in 2024, found that 35% of women had experienced physical or sexual violence from a partner. This marks a decrease from 44% in 2009. The reduction rate of 0.6 percentage points per year for current prevalence outpaces the global average of 0.2.

Both surveys used the WHO’s standardised tool, ensuring reliable comparisons. The latest study also expanded its scope to include new areas: violence during disasters, technology-facilitated abuse, sexual harassment, and partner violence causing permanent disabilities.

Beyond intimate partner violence, the data highlights other serious concerns. One in five women reported sexual abuse by non-partners, while 30% of girls experienced sexual abuse before turning 15. Emotional abuse by partners, however, saw only a slight drop of 3 percentage points since 2009, with coercive control still affecting 59% of women.

Officials attribute the decline in physical and sexual violence to a mix of strategies. These include survivor-centred support, community engagement, legal advocacy, and partnerships with local leaders and agencies. While the pace of change remains gradual, the results suggest these efforts are making a difference. Vanuatu’s 9 percentage point reduction in partner violence is the largest recorded in the Asia-Pacific region for comparable studies. The findings underscore both the impact of prevention programmes and the need for continued action. Addressing persistent issues like coercive control and childhood abuse remains critical for further progress.