Pacific Island countries rank among the worst places in the world for women. Photo: 123RF
A Nauruan Cabinet minister says there is a pandemic of violence against women and girls in the Pacific.
Pacific Island countries rank among the worst places in the world for women and girls, with almost 70 percent of women and girls experiencing physical and sexual violence - double the global average.
Last week, Nauru hosted the 6th annual meeting of the regional working group on the implementation of family protection and domestic violence legislation.
The country's Women and Social Development Affairs Minister Charmaine Scotty underscored the importance of strengthening domestic violence laws.
Scotty called violence against women the most severe expression of gender-based discrimination and disempowerment of women and girls.
"It is imperative to note that violence against women constitutes the most severe expression of gender-based discrimination and disempowerment of women and girls," she said.
"If we don't address this pandemic, it will dismantle democracy, peace, and security of like, hence, the importance of this working group."
In Nauru, almost half of all women have experienced physical or sexual violence, according to the 2014 Nauru Family Health and Support Study.
