Save the Children Vanuatu is currently implementing the ‘Bildemap Bren blong Pikinini’ program, which works to address factors impacting early childhood development, including children’s exposure to violence. As part of this program, Save the Children commissioned the ‘Pikinini Stap Sef, Filem Sef’ study to listen to children to better understand the extent and impacts of children’s exposure to violence in Vanuatu. This study puts children at the centre, to raise up their voices to advocate for action that addresses the social norms and attitudes that maintain the acceptability of violence in Vanuatu.
The purpose of this project was to undertake child-centred research to learn from ni-Vanuatu children’s thoughts, ideas, and experiences about exposure to violence in their lives, and how this impacts their health and wellbeing. The objectives of the study are to:
• Document evidence of the impact of children’s exposure to violence on their development.
• Elevate children’s lived experiences and voices to inform advocacy, policy, and behaviour change strategies.
• Inform and underpin communications and advocacy to be implemented by Save the Children Vanuatu.
• Contribute to the evidence pool on children’s violence exposure and violence against women and children.
The study answers four research questions:
Research question 1: To what extent are children in Vanuatu exposed to violence in their homes, schools, and communities? In what ways?
Research question 2: Do children who have multiple layers of discrimination face different exposures to violence?
Research question 3: What do children think are the consequences of violence on their development, particularly the impacts that violence has on children’s physical and emotional wellness, as well as their ability to learn?
Research question 4: What might trigger and motivate behaviour change within communities regarding social norms around the acceptability of violence?
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