Teenage pregnancy rates in the Pacific stand at 51 births per 1,000 girls, while 2 in 3 women have experienced physical or sexual violence

There is a need for modern contraception and increased access to sexual health services in the Pacific.

Speaking at the 15th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women in Majuro, Marshall Islands, International Planned Parenthood Federation Pacific Office director, Dolores Devesi says there has been a surge in teenage pregnancies both in urban and rural areas in the region including a rise in Sexually Transmitted Infections and “alarming new rates of HIV”.

According to the Pacific Community, adolescent pregnancy rates in the Pacific stand at 51 births per 1,000 girls, while two in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence. Non-communicable diseases like diabetes and heart disease are also taking a heavy toll, with these conditions accounting for nearly 40 percent of female mortality in some countries like Kiribati.

Participants called for comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare, including access to contraceptives, family planning resources, and education.

They also stressed the importance of youth engagement, calling for investment in young leadership and comprehensive education, particularly for girls in rural areas.

The conference also highlighted the unique health challenges faced by the Marshall Islands due to the legacy of nuclear testing and reaffirmed a commitment to support the Marshallese people through comprehensive health services and advocacy.

Discussions also focussed on improving the lives of women and girls with disabilities, particularly on enhancing access to healthcare, assistive devices, and educational programmes to reduce stigma and promote inclusion.

Meanwhile Solomon Islands Permanent Secretary for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, Cedrik Alependava says the Solomons is facing a crisis of gender-based violence, ranking among the highest in the Pacific region for violence against women,

He says the issue exacerbated by the rise of cybercrime, has led to tragic consequences including the alleged suicides of three young people.

Alependava emphasised the need for a multi-faceted approach to combat technology facilitated gender based violence, which was a topic of discussion at the event.

He says Melanesian countries ranked the highest in the Pacific in terms of gender-based violence and needed to work hard to reduce the statistics, with the increase in technology based gender based violence.

Solomon Islands, which has a Family Protection Act and a Child and Welfare Act, has seen an increase in reporting of sexual harassment by girls.

Alependava says 90 percent of the region are Christians and parents were moving away from teaching their children Biblical principles.

The meeting attended by government officials, civil society groups, and NGOs, precedes the 8th Meeting of Pacific Ministers for Women.