The Vanuatu Women’s Centre (VWC) has celebrated 33 years since it first opened its doors in September 1992. Over the years, the centre has assisted thousands of women across the country, with last year alone recording more than 6,300 clients through its offices and island committees.

Coordinator of the Centre, Tatavola Matas, said that while many women come seeking support and counselling, only a small percentage use the law to address their cases. “Out of 6,315 clients last year, only about 12 percent, or roughly 800 women, applied for a protection order under the Family Protection Act,” she said. The rest sought assistance through counselling, community chiefs, or family mediation.

Domestic violence remains the most common issue faced by women who approach the centre, with cases often involving physical and emotional abuse. Matas noted that a growing concern is abuse linked to technology, particularly among families where partners are engaged in seasonal work overseas. “We call this technology-facilitated abuse. It can include controlling behaviours over the phone, where money is withheld unless the partner meets certain demands,” she explained.

Looking forward, Matas said the Centre remains committed to its work, though it depends heavily on donor funding from the governments of Australia and New Zealand. She added that the Centre hopes to strengthen partnerships with the government, chiefs, and youth to build safer and more inclusive communities.

“More and more, the age of perpetrators is becoming younger. We are seeing teenage boys already starting to commit acts of domestic violence,” Matas said. “That is why we want to work with government, chiefs, women leaders, and young people to address this problem early.”

The Centre reaffirmed its mission to continue fighting against domestic and gender-based violence in Vanuatu in the years ahead.