Vanuatu citizens peacefully protest against gender-based violence

Peaceful Assembly

In May 2017, a peaceful demonstration under the slogan of ‘Reclaim the Night’ took place on the 37th anniversary of Vanuatu's National Council of Women (VNCW). Demonstrators primarily from VNCW took to the streets in the evening across the capital, Port Vila, to protest discrimination against women and gender-based violence. UN Women reports that the number of cases of violence against women and girls in Pacific island countries is among the highest in the world.

Although the protest was peaceful and no major incidents were reported, a debate ensued over social media after some people claimed the language used on the demonstrators' posters was “abusive” and contrary to “traditional values”.