Australia Funds US$ 1.6 Million to the Marshalls for Stopping Violence to Women

Photo Sources: Office of the President, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Australian Embassy, Marshall Islands

By Christopher Cottrell

May 8, 2026, Marshall Islands___The people of Australia are funding the Marshall Islands for US$ 1.6 million for the Australia and Women United Together Marshall Islands (WUTMI) partnership aimed at services to prevent gender based violence.

Signed by President Heine and Australian Ambassador Wilson, the agreement will, “support WUTMI’s continued efforts to deliver essential gender-based violence response services, improve women’s safety, and strengthen safer families and communities across the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The agreement builds on Australia’s ongoing partnership with WUTMI and its broader Pacific Strong initiative aimed at ending violence against women and girls across the region,” according to a statement from the Office of the President, Republic of the Marshall Islands.

The Australian Embassy, Marshall Islands issued a statement saying, “Yesterday marked a new milestone in the relationship between Australia and WUTMI RMI, as we signed a funding agreement worth USD1.6m in the presence of President Heine. .”

It added, “Reflecting on the significant contributions to gender equality made by WUTMI and its co-founders, Ambassador Wilson emphasised that Australia is proud to have partnered with WUTMI to prevent and end Gender-Based Violence for almost two decades. This shared commitment is at the heart of the Australian-RMI bilateral relationship.”

Through this partnership, we’re excited to increase our level of support and continue partnering with WUTMI out to 2030. We’re also glad that President Heine took such a liking to our new ’emotional support crocodiles.”’

According to a report by Georgetown University’s Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS) and the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), the Marshall Islands is in “Fragile States Group” with women seeing, “5.3 years of schooling on average, below the world average of 8.4 years.”

This work is part of Australia’s larger Pacific Islands gender-based violence services expansion announced in November 2025 by Australia Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, Australia’s Minister for Pacific Islands Pat Conroy, Anne Aly, Minister for International Development, and Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Nita Green.

The WUTMI announcement marks a new milestone for the Australian Embassy, Marshall Islands as they celebrate five years of a diplomatic mission in this nation of some 1,150 atolls, islands and islets.

Toasting this work, they thanked the Marshall Islands in a statement, “Kommol for helping us celebrate our birthday this week! Over the last five years, the Embassy has been lucky to support visits to the RMI by Foreign Minister Penny Wong in 2022, Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy in 2023 and Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen in 2025! .”

Continuing action against gender-based violence in the Marshall Islands with WUTMI RMI campaign is part of this building success story.