MARSHALL ISLANDS' WOMEN CALL FOR END TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Emson Makroro, a 50-year old teacher at the College of the Marshall Islands (CMI) died on Saturday, August 14, of multiple stab wounds. Her husband, also a CMI teacher, was arrested the same evening, and a few days later, charged with second-degree murder.

WUTMI member and supporters from CMI, Youth for Youth in Health, and the community, gathered at the CMI courtyard at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning for the walk to Morton Makroro's preliminary hearing.

Women carried photos of Emson, who had recently earned her Master's Degree from the University of Guam. Teens carried "Stop Violence Against Women and Girls" posters. Young men held up sigs that read, "Real men don't hit women."

"It is ALL our responsibility to stop violence against women," was a theme expressed throughout the march and speeches.

WUTMI President Mona Strauss, First Lady Representative Abacca Anjain-Maddison, Leroij Hyben Neimad, Hon. Senator Dennis Momotaro, Former WUTMI Presidents Carmen Bigler and Veroanica Kiluwe, and Businessman Ben Chutaro addressed the group before entering the Courthouse for the hearing.

Following the march, Daisy Alik-Momotaro, WUTMI Executive Director, wrote to march participants, thanking them for coming and encouraging continued support for the issue. "We ask our Government leaders to speedily produce stronger penalties for those who murder and beat women and girls."

Domestic violence is common in the Marshall Islands, according to several recent surveys, with as much as 80 percent of women affected by spousal abuse. Fifty percent of students surveyed at CMI reported having experienced physical abuse.

Although educational, church, and women's groups have long-sought for better laws and enforcement in abuse cases, this tragedy has galvanized the community to action.

"Don't wait until it happens to another woman," said WUTMI's director.

VIEW: ALBUM - March to "Stop Violence Against Women"