Every year, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), an international campaign that runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day), unite people across the world to call for the end of violence against women and girls. And in the Pacific, this call is especially urgent. The region records some of the highest GBV rates globally, with 60% of women in Vanuatu having experienced physical or sexual intimate-partner violence according to UN Women — well above the global average of 1 in 3.

But across Vanuatu, the Department of Energy, the Government of Japan and UNDP are demonstrating how the energy sector can drive a safer and more inclusive society — and green energy is already opening new pathways for safety, dignity and empowerment.

What is Gender-Based Violence?
Gender-based violence (GBV) refers to harmful acts - physical, sexual, emotional, or economic - rooted in unequal power and control. Women and girls are disproportionately affected, but men, boys and LGBTIQ+ people can also experience GBV.

It may come as a surprise to many - because the Pacific is often seen as a peaceful, community-oriented region - but Pacific Island countries record some of the highest rates of GBV in the world. Studies from UN Women and UNDP show that in Vanuatu, 68% of women have experienced emotional violence, and many forms of violence remain socially normalised. After natural disasters, GBV spikes, as seen following the 7.3 earthquake in December 2024 in the country. 

This crisis is not only a matter of personal safety, but it is a structural barrier to women’s participation in education, economic life, leadership and community development. 

Why talk about GBV when we talk about energy?

Because energy access is never “neutral.” It shapes how people move, work, learn, and whether they feel safe.

The UNDP VGET project, as part of the regional Pacific Green Transformation Project, a $37 million Japan-funded initiative, is establishing pico-hydro power stations on Pentecost Island in Vanuatu. Beyond providing reliable energy contributing to the government’s National Energy Roadmap commitments, the project integrates GBV prevention strategies.

In rural areas of Vanuatu, women and girls spend hours collecting firewood in isolated areas, walk in unlit spaces at night, and give birth in clinics with unreliable power. These realities increase their exposure to harassment, assault and domestic violence. As the recently completed Gender Study of Green Energy Transition in Vanuatu shows, energy access can help reduce these riskss.

Pentecost Island: women leading the Green Transition

Pentecost Island in Vanuatu provides a powerful example of how gender equality, green energy and GBV prevention intersect. Under the VGET project, 21 women participated in a Green Skills Training Programme, building capacity for entrepreneurship and safe use of electricity. Community consultations engaged women, youth and persons with disabilities in planning around future pico-hydro electricity. Leadership trainings supported women to gain confidence in public speaking and community roles.

Women in Pentecost also expressed strong interest in joining local energy committees. They emphasised the need for more trainings on appliances, electrical safety, bookkeeping and business planning. Youth requested Wi-Fi and digital access to increase education and employment opportunities.

These efforts matter. When women gain knowledge, networks and visibility, their influence grows, and their vulnerability decreases. By empowering women and youth to participate in energy governance, the project supports long-term gender equality and violence prevention.

What we learned from our work in Pentecost Island:

Less firewood, fewer dangers
Clean energy solutions such as pico-hydro, solar home systems and efficient cooking reduce the need for long, risky trips to gather wood for women and girls. Fewer hours spent in isolated areas equals lower exposure to violence.

Lighting for safety
Women on Pentecost Island repeatedly prioritised safe lighting for homes, roads and pathways. Lights mean mobility. Lights mean girls can study. Lights mean women can walk safely to clinics or markets after dark.

Electricity strengthens health and protection services

Health workers in Pentecost shared stories of assisting births with only phone torches because solar lighting failed. Reliable electricity means safer deliveries, functioning equipment, availability of confidential counselling services and stronger support for GBV survivors.

Energy unlocks economic independence

One of the strongest protective factors against violence is women’s economic autonomy. Energy enables women to run businesses—sewing, food processing, cold storage, retail—and generate their own income. In the VGET Household Survey, women ranked productive use of electricity as one of their top priorities.

Access to information reshapes harmful norms

Electrified households report lower acceptance of domestic violence. Why? Because electricity brings radio, phones and internet, all tools that connect families to new ideas, rights information and positive role models.

16 Days of Activism: a Call to Action

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence calls on everyone to unite for the elimination of violence against women and girls. From the evidence gathered in Vanuatu, one message is clear: energy access is not only an infrastructure issue. It is a safety issue. A gender issue. A justice issue. To deepen the impact of the green energy transition, we call for: Greater awareness of the link between energy poverty and GBV; Expanded green skills and leadership opportunities for women, youth and persons with disabilities; Standard GBV risk mitigation across all energy projects, including safeguarding, grievance mechanisms and referral pathways; and stronger partnerships between Government agencies, energy programmes, civil society, women’s groups, youth groups, private sector and development partners.

Towards a safer, greener, more inclusive Vanuatu

As Vanuatu advances toward a renewable future, the country has an unprecedented opportunity to position green energy as a driver of gender equality and GBV prevention. 
Through continued investment, collaboration and community-led approaches, Vanuatu can demonstrate that when women have light, they have safety. When they have energy, they have opportunity. And when they have power, violence has no place to grow.

Written by Misel Sisi, Acting Director of Energy from the Ministry of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology and Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management - Government of Vanuatu, and Munkhtuya Altangerel, UNDP Pacific Office Resident Representative.