EVERY government, through political, administrative and justice structures, is accountable to end society’s tolerance of and state’s lack of responsiveness to violence against women and children.

UN Women regional program director Elizabeth Cox, in a report titled Evidence, Data and Knowledge in the Pacific Island countries, said violence against women occurred in every country around the globe and affected women and girls, regardless of their age and socioeconomic status.

“The institutions of government, culture, religion, civil society and commerce are not immune from gender based violence within their own structures and organisations,” Ms Cox said.

“It is not only the common man, the grassroots, uneducated or poor man who commits violence against women.

“Doctors, lawyers, judges, parliamentarians, policeman, security guards, senior public servants, chiefs, priests, teachers and nurses also commit crimes of violence against women.

“These people betray their trusted role as partners and as providers of services intended to lead, guide, comfort and protect.”

Ms Cox said that although work in the Pacific region is progressing, more needs to be done in terms of data collection and access to financial resources.