Videos

Prime Minister Hon. Bob Loughman Weibur calls 🗣 on men to break generational violence, and affirms government’s commitment to end the crime of violence against women and girls. “We must make a stand as a country to break this generational cycle of domestic violence and abuse. Women are equal to men and have a right to live a life without fear and to grow up in a family and live in a society that respects and upholds their dignity. And this starts with us men and boys.” – PM Loughman The ‘Journey to Change’ campaign for 16 days of activism is a partnership with Vanuatu’s Department of Women’s Affairs, Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Ministry of Justice and Community Services, Sista and HCDI with the support of The Spotlight Initiative.

Senior Sergeant Iaken Ampen, Deputy Director of Vanuatu Police Training College, calls on Ni-Vanuatu men♂ to intervene with violence towards women and girls♀ and for men to take the time to heal❤️🩹 within. “To perpetrate violence is a choice – you are the one making that decision. If you decide to use violence, then it’s your decision to use violence. If you decide not to use violence, then it’s your decision not to use violence. But whatever your decision is you have to accept that you reap what you sow. When you are dealing with the life of another person. You have to remember that you are a human being and that person is also a human being.” – Snr Sergeant Iaken Ampen The ‘Journey to Change’ campaign for 16 days of activism is a partnership with Vanuatu’s Department of Women’s Affairs, Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Ministry of Justice and Community Services, Sista and HCDI with the support of The Spotlight Initiative.

Judo instructor and business owner, Nazario Fiakaifonu , calls📢 on men♂ to stop 🚫victim blaming and take responsibility for their actions. “We shouldn’t tell women and girls to stay at home, because it is their right to walk around and feel safe. It is time for us to tell men and boys to stop violence because it is a crime.” The ‘Journey to Change’ campaign for 16 days of activism is a partnership with Vanuatu’s Department of Women’s Affairs, Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Ministry of Justice and Community Services, Sista and HCDI with the support of The Spotlight Initiative.

Leader of the Opposition Hon. Ralph Regenvanu emphasizes 🗣 the importance of eliminating violence and discrimination against women ♀ for the sustainable development of Vanuatu. “Vanuatu will not develop if we continue to disrespect women and girls, and perpetuate violence and abuse against women and girls and the answer lies in the hands of us men. As men, fathers, brothers, boys, we are the ones who have to change our behavior to ensure women and girls are empowered and able to contribute in order to make a better life for everybody.” – Hon. Ralph Regenvanu The ‘Journey to Change’ campaign for 16 days of activism is a partnership with Vanuatu’s Department of Women’s Affairs, Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Ministry of Justice and Community Services, Sista and HCDI with the support of The Spotlight Initiative. #RodBlongJenis #JenisHemiStanInsaedLongHanBlongYu #MaleChampionsOfChange #SpotlightInitiative

Jonathan Naupa talking about the value and contribution of Ni-Vanuatu ♀ women to the economy and why they need to be included in the decision making of Vanuatu. 🇻🇺 “The women of Vanuatu are special. I see them as the engine room of our economy. Most of the time we overlook this and don’t recognise them at all. But if you look closely, you will see that women are the ones who are helping us tremendously in businesses, in families, in churches, in everything. I hope that one day, they will be in parliament. I hope one day they will be represented at every level.” – Jonathan Naupa The ‘Journey to Change’ campaign for 16 days of activism is a partnership with Vanuatu’s Department of Women’s Affairs, Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Ministry of Justice and Community Services, Sista and HCDI with the support of The Spotlight Initiative. #RodBlongJenis #JenisHemiStanInsaedLongHanBlongYu #MaleChampionsOfChange #SpotlightInitiative

Dr. Jimmy Obed shares the impacts of violence on mental🧠 health and further elaborates on how it affects victims of violence. “When you hit your sister, your daughter or your wife, you only see the bruises on her body. You do not see the bruises that you have left inside her heart and her mind. When you use violence against a woman, she will be afraid of you. She won’t eat, she won’t sleep well, she won’t talk to her friends and she might have depression or feel that her heart is heavy all the time, and she may feel anxiety, fear and be constantly worried. These are only some of the impacts of violence on mental health.” The ‘Journey to Change’ campaign for 16 days of activism is a partnership with Vanuatu’s Department of Women’s Affairs, Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Ministry of Justice and Community Services, Sista and HCDI with the support of The Spotlight Initiative Mental Health Vanuatu #RodBlongJenis #JenisHemiStanInsaedLongHanBlongYu #MaleChampionsOfChange #mentalhealthmatters #SpotlightInitiative

Acting Director General Johnny Marango of Vanuatu Ministry of Justice and Community Services and former Director of the Correctional Services shares statistics and findings on sexual violence in Vanuatu. “One out of three girls will face sexual violence before they reach the age of 18. From 2012 to 2020, over 50% of offenders were imprisoned due to sexual offences. In 2017 we conducted a study and the statistics of our findings showed that most of the offences are committed by a victim’s family member. Uncles and grandfathers are some of the examples of family members who cause this harm. We must look at this issue and ask ourselves: how or what is the solution? The change lies in the hands of us men and boys. We are the agents of change and we must change our attitudes and behavior towards our mothers, women and young girls and see them in a positive perspective and appreciate who they are. It’s important that we respect each other.” The ‘Journey to Change’ campaign for 16 days of activism is a partnership with Vanuatu’s Department of Women’s Affairs, Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Ministry of Justice and Community Services, Sista and HCDI with the support of The Spotlight Initiative. #RodBlongJenis #JenisHemiStanInsaedLongHanBlongYu #MaleChampionsOfChange #mentalhealthmatters #SpotlightInitiative

Steve Williams calls 🗣 on men to respect women’s body’s and emphasizes that 📢NO MEANS NO 📢 “Respect a woman’s body like you would respect a Nasara. When she tells you that you can go inside, then you can go inside. If she tells you that you can’t go inside, then you must not go inside.” The ‘Journey to Change’ campaign for 16 days of activism is a partnership with Vanuatu’s Department of Women’s Affairs, Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Ministry of Justice and Community Services, Sista and HCDI with the support of The Spotlight Initiative. #RodBlongJenis #JenisHemiStanInsaedLongHanBlongYu #MaleChampionsOfChange #mentalhealthmatters #SpotlightInitiative

Male champion advocator Johnlyn Regenvanu talks about what women go through during times of natural disasters. ⛈🌀 “We as men shouldn’t put women down even more. It’s important to recognize the specific needs of women in times of natural disasters.” – Johnlyn Regenvanu The ‘Journey to Change’ campaign for 16 days of activism is a partnership with Vanuatu’s Department of Women’s Affairs, Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Ministry of Justice and Community Services, Sista and HCDI with the support of The Spotlight Initiative. #RodBlongJenis #JenisHemiStanInsaedLongHanBlongYu #MaleChampionsOfChange #mentalhealthmatters #SpotlightInitiative

Moses Cakau stating other forms of violence and calls 🗣 on other men ♂️ to put a stop 🚫 to this behavior. “When you take her phone away from her, when you follow her to her workplace, when you tell her she can’t see her friends – this is also violence.” – Moses Cakau The ‘Journey to Change’ campaign for 16 days of activism is a partnership with Vanuatu’s Department of Women’s Affairs, Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Ministry of Justice and Community Services, Sista and HCDI with the support of The Spotlight Initiative. #RodBlongJenis #JenisHemiStanInsaedLongHanBlongYu #MaleChampionsOfChange #16DaysOfActivism #SpotlightInitiative

Authorized Person from Sarete, South Santo – Lulu Vola calls 🗣 on men to stop 🚫 violence against women ♀ using the Bible. 📕 “God did not create a woman for you to mistreat her. Keep her safe always. The Bible doesn’t teach violence. Violence is a sin. If you want a peaceful home, you must get rid of violence.” – AP Lulu Vola The ‘Journey to Change’ campaign for 16 days of activism is a partnership with Vanuatu’s Department of Women’s Affairs, Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Ministry of Justice and Community Services, Sista and HCDI with the support of The Spotlight Initiative. #RodBlongJenis #JenisHemiStanInsaedLongHanBlongYu #MaleChampionsOfChange #SpotlightInitiative

Country Manager of balance of power emphasizing that in order for Vanuatu 🇻🇺 to develop, we need to include ♀ women. “If we want Vanuatu to develop and grow, we need to include women too. So I am asking all Ni-Vanuatu men to take care of all the women and girls in Vanuatu.” – Wilson Toa The ‘Journey to Change’ campaign for 16 days of activism is a partnership with Vanuatu’s Department of Women’s Affairs, Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Ministry of Justice and Community Services, Sista and HCDI with the support of The Spotlight Initiative. #RodBlongJenis #JenisHemiStanInsaedLongHanBlongYu #MaleChampionsOfChange #SpotlightInitiative

John Vincent Stephens on why father’s 🧔🏾should be talking to their sons 🧑🏾 about Sex 👨🏽‍🤝‍👨🏽 and what can happen if they don’t. “Many young men don’t know what safe sex is, which results in teenage pregnancy. Young men are abandoning their responsibilities and leaving young women to raise children on their own.” – John Vincent Stephens The ‘Journey to Change’ campaign for 16 days of activism is a partnership with Vanuatu’s Department of Women’s Affairs, Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Ministry of Justice and Community Services, Sista and HCDI with the support of The Spotlight Initiative, #RodBlongJenis #JenisHemiStanInsaedLongHanBlongYu #MaleChampionsOfChange #mentalhealthmatters #SpotlightInitiative

Children’s book author Junior Gaetan Pikoune speaks on how violence affects children👶🏾👦🏾 AND how we need to normalize men ♂️ expressing their emotions and communicating in a healthy way. “Fathers who use their words to solve disputes at home are leading their families down the right road. Their families will always feel safe and happy. Fathers who use their hands to solve disputes at home are leading their families down the wrong road. Their families will not feel safe with them.” – Junior Gaetan Pikioune The ‘Journey to Change’ campaign for 16 days of activism is a partnership with Vanuatu’s Department of Women’s Affairs, Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Ministry of Justice and Community Services, Sista and HCDI with the support of The Spotlight Initiative. #RodBlongJenis #JenisHemiStanInsaedLongHanBlongYu #MaleChampionsOfChange #16DaysOfActivism #SpotlightInitiative

Director of Alliance française de Port-Vila & Frecnh/Ni-Vanuatu Citizen Georges Cumbo talks about violence as an epidemic and encourages men ♂️ to respect women and girls ♀ English: “Violence against women is an epidemic that affects us all. It’s a problem that impacts women most evidently first. But the fact is, it also impacts our families, our communities, our society. It’s an epidemic that concerns women and men. Us men can and must act at all levels. First of all, within our families, by respecting our mothers, our wives, our sisters, our daughters. But also by educating our boys. We must educate them in having respect for women by advancing non-violence and respect.” – Georges Cumbo French: Les violences faites aux femmes sont un fléau qui nous concerne tous.C’est un problème qui affecte bien évidemment en premier lieu les femmes. Mais qui impacte de fait nos familles, nos communautés, notre société. C’est un fléau qui concerne les femmes et les hommes. Nous les hommes, à tous les niveaux, nous pouvons, nous devons agir. Tout d’abord, au sein de nos familles, en respectant nos mères, nos femmes, nos sœurs, nos filles. Mais aussi en éduquant nos garçons. Nous devons les éduquer dans le respect des femmes en promouvant la non violence et le respect.” – Georges Cumbo The ‘Journey to Change’ campaign for 16 days of activism is a partnership with Vanuatu’s Department of Women’s Affairs, Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Ministry of Justice and Community Services, Sista and HCDI with the support of The Spotlight Initiative. #RodBlongJenis #JenisHemiStanInsaedLongHanBlongYu #MaleChampionsOfChange #16DaysOfActivism #SpotlightInitiative

Authorized Person from Wailapa Community, South Santo John Vanua explaining that the bible does not condone violence. “God created mankind, and at the end of his creation he saw that it was very good and that humans were the icing on the cake. God’s word says in Zachariah 2 verse 8, that if you abuse another person, it is just like stabbing the apple of my eye. If you want peace in your home, you have to remove violence.” – John Vanua The ‘Journey to Change’ campaign for 16 days of activism is a partnership with Vanuatu’s Department of Women’s Affairs, Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Ministry of Justice and Community Services, Sista and HCDI with the support of The Spotlight Initiative. #RodBlongJenis #JenisHemiStanInsaedLongHanBlongYu #MaleChampionsOfChange #16DaysOfActivism #SpotlightInitiative

Tevita Taravaki encourages male family members not to turn their backs to a sister 👩🏾 who returns to her family home due to violence she faced with her husband in her marital 🏠 home. “If your sister has left her husband and returns to your family home because of the violence she is facing at home with her husband, please don’t turn your back on her. Help her and go talk with her husband or her boyfriend.” – Tevita Taravaki The ‘Journey to Change’ campaign for 16 days of activism is a partnership with Vanuatu’s Department of Women’s Affairs, Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Ministry of Justice and Community Services, Sista and HCDI with the support of The Spotlight Initiative. #RodBlongJenis #JenisHemiStanInsaedLongHanBlongYu #MaleChampionsOfChange #16DaysOfActivism #SpotlightInitiative

President of Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Willie Grey Plasua calls 🗣 on men ♂️ to stop 🚫 using custom as an excuse to beat women. ♀ “If you understand custom well, you will recognize that it teaches respect, not violence. It is our chief’s duty to help both men and women solve disputes and other issues. Please, Ni-Vanuatu men, stop using our custom as an excuse for beating women. When we speak of custom, we speak of respect, peace and unity.” – Chief Willie Grey Plasua The ‘Journey to Change’ campaign for 16 days of activism is a partnership with Vanuatu’s Department of Women’s Affairs, Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Ministry of Justice and Community Services, Sista and HCDI with the support of The Spotlight Initiative. #RodBlongJenis #JenisHemiStanInsaedLongHanBlongYu #MaleChampionsOfChange #16DaysOfActivism #SpotlightInitiative