Gender-based violence crisis centres from six countries in the Pacific have faced not only the COVID-19 crisis, but also in some countries, the dual impact of a tropical cyclone. UN Women’s Ending Violence Against Women and Girls programme, through the Pacific Partnership, works in close collaboration with government, civil society organisations, communities and other partners to promote gender equality, prevent violence against women and girls, and increase access to quality response services for survivors, especially during emergencies.

At 16, Jakomba Jabbie is one of the most vocal advocates for the education of all girls in the Gambia, especially when it comes to science and technology skills.

FGM is a long-running harmful traditional practice in her community in Gambia that has led generations of women to a lifetime of pain, a lack of control of their own bodily integrity and sexuality, and debilitating health risks, including death. The taboo surrounding the topic has impeded women to freely discuss their experiences of harm and suffering caused by FGM.

At a recent dialogue in Gambia, regional networks of women living with HIV called on policymakers to address women’s property and inheritance rights in the context of HIV.

A new Family Protection Bill for the Pacific island becomes reality through critical lobbying and advocacy by partners and a grantee of the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women.