An international survey finds Solomon Islands to be the third country in line global with the highest incidents of physical and sexual violence against women.
The recent international survey covered twelve countries, including Solomon Islands.Others surveyed are: Ethiopia, Peru, Bangladesh, Tanzania, Thailand, Samoa, Brazil, Nambia, Peru City, Bangladesh City, and Japan.
The survey shows that Solomon Islands comes third with the highest incidents of physical and sexual violence against women with 64% while Ethiopia first with 70% and Peru 68%.
The Solomon Islands component of the survey was carried out by the Ministry of Women, Youth and Children's Affairs.
Results show that many families in the country are suffering from violence especially women, girls and children whose lives are affected.
Violence against women includes physical, sexual and emotional violence in the family, sexual abuse of girls, bride price related violence, marital rape, sexual harassment, forced prostitution, trafficking of women, and rape during the ethnic tension.
The outcome of the survey has set authorities to organise activities like the White Ribbon and 16 Days of Activism in efforts to minimize the high percentage of violence in the country.
The survey also reveals that women and girls between the ages 15 to 49 have experienced violence from their husbands, boyfriends and by persons they don't know.