About 80 Fijians took to the streets of Suva in a march to kick start 16 days of activism, advocating the end of violence against women.

Fiji Women Crisis Coordinator Shamima Ali says 18 people have died because of domestic violence this year, 16 were women.

“To stop all forms of violence against women and girls and of course our children. We have arranged this march to put the activism back into the 16 days of activism because it has become very safe and as a founder of the 16 of activism against violence against women back in 1991 at Rutgers University, I think it’s important for us CSOs to remind ourselves that this is the CSO initiative.”

Ali says the 16 days of activism also encourages more youth to take up the cause and make the fight against violence, everybody’s business.

Joeli Cama, the Turaga-ni-Koro of Vuisiga in Naitasiri participated in the march and says it’s important for more men in the village to support women and ensure there is no violence in the home.

Participants also included young boys and girls, persons with disabilities activists and members of the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and queer community.