The Kiribati parliament has had the first reading of the Family Peace Bill.
The government wants the bill to help eliminate violence against women and children by setting up a ministry of women and youth.
A female minister in the government, Maere Tekanene, says it was pleasing to hear positive contributions from all fellow MPs.
Ms Tekanene, who has been a strong advocate and supporter of the Bill, told parliament that it is not easy to raise domestic violence as a public or political matter in Kiribati because some male politicians may themselves have been perpetrators.
The Kiribati Independent says former president Teburoro Tito supports the bill but asked government to also focus on youth related problems.
