Amnesty International says a new United Nations initiative will help address violence against women in the Pacific.
The UN General Assembly will today formally adopt a resolution to establish UN Women, a new gender equality entity which consolidates four existing UN bodies on women, making it a more effective vehicle to advance women's rights.
The chief executive of Amnesty International New Zealand, Patrick Holmes, says the establishment of UN Women is a great victory for women's rights.
He says Amnesty is very excited about the role the new body will play in eliminating the endemic problem of violence against women in the Pacific.
And Mr Holmes says it'll help to reinforce Amnesty's work with Pacific leaders to ensure there are policy and legislative changes which reflect a firm commitment to address violence.
