Republic of the Marshall Islands National Study on Family Health and Safety

Violence against women (VAW) is a global problem that crosses cultural, geographic, religious, social, and economic boundaries and is a violation of human rights. Violence against women deprives women of their right to take part fully in social and economic life. It causes a myriad of physical and mental health issues and in some cases results in loss of life. A lack of understanding of the magnitude of VAW, its causes and consequences, and the trends and patterns across cultures and countries, including those in the Pacific, hinders the development of efforts to address it.

VAW is a widely known but rarely discussed issue. In the RMI, as in many countries, it is seen as a family problem. There is a need to combine quantitative and qualitative data on the subject not only to inform policy but also to recognize the human rights of women and their families and give voice to those who are largely unheard.