Vanuatu cuts partner violence by 20% in 15 years—yet hidden abuses persist

Vanuatu has seen a notable drop in violence against women over the past 15 years. A new survey shows fewer cases of physical and sexual abuse by husbands or partners compared to 2009. Yet, other forms of abuse, such as coercive control and child sexual violence, remain alarmingly common. The latest figures reveal that 35% of women in Vanuatu have experienced physical or sexual violence from a partner in their lifetime. This marks a significant decline from 44% in 2009. The annual reduction rate of 0.6 percentage points outpaces the global average of 0.2, making Vanuatu’s progress the fastest in the Asia-Pacific region for countries with comparable data.

The 2024 survey used the same methods as the 2009 study, ensuring accurate comparisons. Efforts by the Vanuatu Women’s Centre (VWC) and government initiatives have played a key role in this improvement. However, emotional abuse by partners has only fallen by three percentage points since 2009, showing slower progress in this area. Beyond partner violence, the data highlights persistent issues. Nearly one in five women (21%) has faced sexual abuse from non-partners, including attempted rape and unwanted touching. Childhood abuse is also a major concern, with 30% of girls reporting sexual abuse before the age of 15. Additionally, 59% of women currently endure coercive control by their husbands or partners.

Vanuatu’s drop in physical and sexual partner violence reflects years of targeted action. The country’s reduction rate now leads the Asia-Pacific region. Still, high levels of coercive control, child abuse, and non-partner violence show that ongoing efforts are needed to address all forms of gender-based harm.