FOR the women and girls of Tuvalu, justice isn’t just a legal concept; it is a lifeline.
At a recent United Nations meeting earlier this month, Dr. Eselealofa Apinelu, Tuvalu’s High Commissioner to Fiji, spoke about the reality of life on a small island nation where isolation and the growing threat of climate change make the safety of women more urgent than ever.
“For Tuvalu, access to justice for women and girls is inseparable from our identity as a small island developing State, shaped by strong community values, geographic isolation, limited institutional capacity, and the growing impacts of climate change,’’ she said.
“Violence against women remains a serious challenge, with national data showing that around 44 per cent of women in Tuvalu have experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner.’’
Apinelu emphasised that justice in Tuvalu had long been rooted in community values such as equity, reconciliation, and care, while recognising the importance of strengthening formal legal systems to ensure women’s safety and rights.
“Access to justice must be equal, safe and effective, never conditional,’’ she said.
“Justice is not an abstract principle; it is a lifeline for women and girls, particularly for those living in vulnerable communities.”
Apinelu said the heart of Tuvalu’s strength lay in its people, especially older women, who served as the custodians of cultural knowledge and the backbone of their families. The government are also actively empowering older women and tackling violence against women and girls.
“The government has strengthened coordination among institutions through the Gender-Based Violence Task Force and recently launched the We Care Guidelines, an official framework designed to improve support for survivors,’’ she said.
“Tuvalu’s participation at the global meeting reflects the country’s ongoing commitment to strengthening justice systems, protecting the rights of women and girls, and working with international partners to advance gender equality.”