News

64% of women have been subjected to violence

February 20, 2019 7:19 am

Sixty-four percent of women in the country have experienced some sort of violence.

The Ministry of Women and Children says one in every three women have been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime.

Speaking at a Gender-Based Violence training in Sigatoka – Permanent Secretary Dr. Josefa Koroivueta says  Fiji’s National Development plan will emphasize on empowering women to reach their full potential.

Article continues after advertisement

“We find that gender and social inclusion are very key components of our national development plans. Unless and until we tackle violence against women unless we learn and unlearn and relearn on gender, on violence against women and also human rights only then we can move forward as a nation.”

Fiji Women Crisis Centre Coordinator Shamima Ali reminded participants that violence against women is a violation of human rights.

“We will make it as good as peaceful as possible so we can all walk out of here on Friday singing the same song of human rights, of ending violence against women and women living a life without violence.”

The Ministry says it is committed to working with all government agencies to prioritize women’s right to safety, freedom, and access to leadership and decision making.