A TEAM from the Office of Development Effectiveness (ODE) from DFAT in Canberra is currently here, to strategically evaluate Australia’s development assistance towards Ending Violence Against Women And Girls (EVAWG).
The team arrived last week, and will be in Solomon Islands until the end of this week.
A statement from DFAT office revealed the team has visited Temotu province, and Auki, Malaita Province to meet with a range of stakeholders and implementing partners.
These includes the provincial government, multilateral agencies, NGO’s, women’s groups, project beneficiaries, church groups, health workers and police, corrections and magistrates.
DFAT Admin Officer, Betsy Osiia Naohane Rakafia said it is a 10 year review and will be an opportunity for the ODE team to present their initial findings of progress and ongoing challenges since 2008.
Mrs Naohane said the evaluation will look at the past ten years (2008-2018) of funding to 5 countries (Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste and Indonesia).
“The evaluation will be looking at the three pillars the Australian Government committed to in response to the 2008 strategic evaluation Violence against Women in Melanesia and East Timor.
“The three pillars are increasing women’s access to justice, to services and to prevent violence against women,” she said.
She added the evaluation objectives are to:
· Evaluate the relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of Australian support towards EVAWG, exploring the reach of response services, access to justice, prevention and policy engagement. It will draw on the experience of the Australian aid program and other international development partners.
· Make recommendations and provide practical lessons for Australia’s future aid program and policy engagement responding to violence against women and girls.
On Thursday the team also have a talk with some of the stakeholders in Honiara.
By IAN M.KAUKUI
