Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

This year we have, with Samoa, co-hosted two Pacific women led virtual meetings—over 30 women from more than 18 different countries—to discuss our responses to the issues challenging the region during the pandemic. It is a really important opportunity for those views to be heard, and I hope to host a further meeting before the end of the year. With the United Nations, we're also supporting local women's networks and peacebuilders to address gender based violence and to reduce isolation and exclusion. In the Solomon Islands, for example, we've supported increased involvement of women leaders in vital provincial roles helping with disaster management. We also know the risk that COVID-19 poses to women's health and safety as well as to their economic empowerment, leadership and resilience. This is a central priority of our very, very important Partnerships for Recovery strategy, including in our individual country programs in the Indo-Pacific.