21 new communities are in the process of becoming champions for violence free communities in Fiji.

Minister for Women Rosy Akbar says currently these communities are undergoing the training programs that will equip them with the skills to effectively address issues concerning domestic violence, child abuse and gender inequality.

Akbar says to further progress the programme and quantify its success, an expert has been hired under the UN’s Ending Violence Against Women and Girls to evaluate the programme and its impact.

The zero tolerance violence free communities program was established to strengthen networks with the local and rural communities in terms of eliminating violence against women and children.