The Regional Working Group on the Implementation of Domestic Violence/Family Protection Legislation (RWG), in collaboration with the Pacific Women’s Network to End Violence Against Women, unveiled the Regional Gender Based Violence Counselling Framework on 12 February 2026, during GESI week at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. This pivotal Framework is developed by and for the Pacific, designed to enhance counselling standards for survivors of gender-based violence across the region.
This initiative emerges from years of collaborative efforts among RWG member governments, crisis centres from various Pacific nations, and civil society organizations tackling the widespread challenges faced in executing domestic violence laws. Before this initiative, only Tonga, Solomon Islands, and Kiribati had established national counselling standards concerning gender-based violence.
The Framework is the product of extensive consultations held in Kiribati, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea, drawing on the lived experiences and voices of survivors. It sets forth minimum standards for ethical, safe, and survivor-centered counselling practices. Service providers, ranging from governmental counsellors to women’s crisis centres and faith-based organisations, are provided with comprehensive guidelines on confidentiality, safeguarding, professional conduct, and accountability.
At the launch, Livai Sovau, the alternate Chair of the RWG, underscored the importance of this Framework: “This reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that every survivor of violence is met with dignity, respect and professional care, no matter which country they are in. It is Pacific-built, tested, and will help 13 RWG member states and governments strengthen or establish national counselling standards that protect our families and communities.”
The Chair of the Pacific Women’s Network, Shamima Ali, emphasized the strength of this partnership and its significance for frontline workers throughout the region. “For decades, crisis centres have been the backbone of safe, confidential support for survivors,” she noted, showcasing the commitment of these centers despite limited resources. “This Framework brings governments and civil society together around shared standards that prioritize survivors.”
Mereseini Rakuita, SPC’s Principal Strategic Lead for Pacific Women and Girls, highlighted the broader implications of the Framework in the region, stating that with two out of three Pacific women experiencing violence, the necessity for rights-based, survivor-centered services is paramount. “This Framework strengthens our ability to turn commitments into action and ensure real protection for women and girls across our Blue Pacific,” she affirmed.
The RWG and the Network expressed gratitude to the Government of New Zealand for its sustained support, which facilitated the consultative process for drafting and validating the Framework. Special acknowledgment was given to the Pacific Community (SPC) for its pivotal role in coordinating and leading the initiative throughout its development.
As member states prepare to implement the Framework, it is anticipated to significantly enhance domestic violence legislation, elevate service quality, and ensure consistent, accountable support systems for survivors throughout the region. “This is a gift from Pacific governments and CSOs to our people,” added Sovau, reflecting collective aspirations to protect lives and enhance services for the benefit of their communities. This Framework stands as a hopeful sign of progress, setting a path toward a safer future for survivors of gender-based violence in the Pacific.
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