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Australia's Major Move Against Violence on Women, Girls

• Australia has pledged $56.8 million to combat gender-based violence in Southeast Asia.
• The program, 'Towards Universal Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in the Indo-Pacific', will work with partners like UNFPA and UNICEF.
• The initiative will focus on eliminating child, early, and forced marriages, and enhancing digital health services.
• This commitment is a continuation of Australia's efforts to promote gender equality and women's rights globally.

Australia has made a significant commitment towards the advancement of sexual and reproductive health and rights in Southeast Asia. The country has pledged a substantial sum of $56.8 million as part of a new programme that aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. This issue has been a focal point of global concern and this commitment marks a significant step in the fight against it.

The announcement was made on November 25, a date that holds international significance as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This day serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against gender-based violence and the collective efforts required to eradicate it.

The programme, named 'Towards Universal Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in the Indo-Pacific', is set to bolster the efforts of long-standing partners such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), International Planned Parenthood Federation, Marie Stopes International, and UNICEF.

Australia's New Programme and Its Impact

According to the statement released by the Australian government, the new programme will enable the country's partners to extend their outreach, enhance digital health services, amplify community awareness, back government initiatives, and fortify the capacity to make data-informed policy decisions. A noteworthy aspect of the programme is its focus on eliminating child, early, and forced marriages, practices that have been universally condemned for violating human rights.

The programme is a continuation of Australia's efforts in this domain, building on the country's Covid-19 Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Surge Response Initiative in 2021-2024. This initiative provided sexual and reproductive health services to 4.5 million people and supported over 125,000 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

It also complements the Transformative Agenda for Women, Youth, and Adolescents in the Pacific Phase 2 programme, which began in November 2023 and is delivering similar support and services across the Pacific.

Australia's Global Commitment to Women's Rights

The Australian government's commitment to the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls is not limited to its region but extends globally. The new programme is a testament to Australia's dedication to the universal realization of sexual and reproductive health and rights, which are integral to inclusive development.

Historically, Australia has been a strong advocate for women's rights and gender equality. In 2010, the Australian government launched the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010 - 2022, a 12-year plan aimed at achieving a significant and sustained reduction in violence against women and their children. This new programme is a continuation of Australia's commitment to this cause, demonstrating its ongoing efforts to promote gender equality and women's rights.