World Vision shares approach to reducing violence against women at UN meeting

World Vision’s faith-based approach for tackling violence against women in the Solomon Islands was showcased at the 57th United Nations (UN) Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York.

World Vision Solomon Islands Gender Coordinator Koisau Sade introduced the WV Gender Based Violence Project in the Solomon Islands and provided an overview of the Channels of Hope model during a discussion panel.

“In the Solomon Islands, where two in three women experiencing physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner, the Channels of Hope approach is improving gender equality and reducing violence against women and girls,” said Koisau.

The Channels of Hope approach engages faith leaders, churches and communities in a manner that challenges their attitudes and knowledge and uses the bible to change people’s perception and treatment of women.

The Channels of Hope approach was presented to the UN by representatives from World Vision Solomon Islands, the Solomon Islands Government, a Solomon Islands faith leader, together with Tim Costello, Chief Executive Officer of World Vision Australia, Penny Williams, Australian Global Ambassador for Women and Girls and Kiran Bhatia, UNFPA Regional Gender Advisor.

The meeting was also attended by Colin Beck, the Solomon Islands Ambassador to the UN. Ambassador Beck publically praised the panel for the great job they did explaining the problem of Gender Based Violence in Solomon Islands. 

“Gender based violence is a real problem in our country. I am so pleased to see three Solomon Islanders from government, World Vision and the church explaining to the world how together they are successfully dealing with these issues in my country’, Ambassador Beck said. 

Dr Andrew Catford, County Director of World Vision Solomon Islands, was pleased with the reactions to the approach at the CSW meetings.

“We have been very pleased with the high level of interest in the Channels of Hope approach and our work in Solomon Islands by United Nations staff, government representatives, donors and NGO’s. There was much interest in the lessons we have from the approach and its applicability in other country and faith contexts”, Dr Catford said.

World Vision is currently implementing the Channels of Hope approach through an AusAid funded project called Community Vision for Change that works in five communities in the Solomon Islands’ capital city of Honiara including Burns Creek, Sun Valley, Lord Howe, White River and Fulisango.  World Vision is also commencing the Channels of Hope program with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force in Honiara and is expanding the approach to two provinces with additional AusAid funding.