16 Days of Activism Campaign Against Gender Based Violence in Tuvalu

Over 50 passionate individuals came together in a remarkable motorcade event on Saturday, November 25th, to kick off our campaign in Tuvalu. The motorcade, which began at 6:00 am, circled the islands, serving as a powerful symbol of our commitment to raising awareness and standing in solidarity with survivors and victims of violence.

This year’s campaign revolves around the theme: “Our Right to be Free from Any Form of Violence Everywhere.” We firmly believe that there is no excuse, no place, and no justification for any kind of violence, whether it’s offline or online through social media. Tanene Teo, Acting Director of the Gender Affairs Department, emphasizes the importance of spreading this message far and wide.

In her opening statement, the President of the Tuvalu National Council of Women, Mrs Temukisa Hauma, reminded us of a stark reality: four out of ten women have faced violence from a husband or intimate partner. “These aren’t just statistics; they are the painful lived experiences of our fellow Tuvaluans.” She added, “today, we don’t just acknowledge the problem; we declare our unwavering commitment to change. Our strength lies in our unity, and our right to be free from violence is not just a theme; it’s a fundamental human right and a core Tuvaluan value”.

The Gender Affairs Department, in collaboration with the Tuvalu Police Service, the Office of the Judiciary, TNCW, TuFHA, FusiAlofa, Fatu Lei, FFEKT, TRC and the Tuvalu Australia Partnership for Quality Education, has organized a series of activities running until December 10th as part of the 16 days of activism campaign in Tuvalu. These initiatives are made possible thanks to the generous support of the Government of Australia.

Let’s come together and make a difference. Together, we can create a safer and more inclusive Tuvalu for all