By Mike Puia
THE Office of Development Effectiveness (ODE), yesterday, presented its preliminary results on the evaluation it conducted into Australia’s aid assistance toward efforts to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the country.
A three-member team from the ODE within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Canberra has been conducting an evaluation in the country over the past weeks.
Based on data collected from Temotu and Malaita provinces and Honiara, ODE preliminary results noted that despite a short timeframe, there has been progress in the area of prevention work, policies, services and awareness and strong government commitment.
Speaking at a session the ODE team holds to present its preliminary findings, Australia’s High Commissioner to the country, Mr Roderick Brazier, said GBV is a serious issue across the globe.
Commissioner Brazier said addressing GBV needs the support of everyone as its impacts are “far beyond the immediate impacts”.
He said this issue has “massive impact on the economy”.
Brazier encourages men to speak out against GBV and to educate their sons about the issue.
He said Australia has been a long supporter of the country’s fight against GBV.
Brazier said Australia will continue to help the country address this issue so that women and girls protected from this problem.
Representatives from government ministries, non-governmental organisations, churches, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force were among those who attended the session.
Their inputs during the session were also included to data the ODE team has already collected.
The final report of the evaluation, which compared progresses made over the past 10 years, will be completed in the coming months.
