News

Akbar commits to end violence in Fiji

April 3, 2015 8:25 pm

Following her participation at the 59th session of the Commission on the status of women in New York recently, Minister for Women – Rosy Akbar says she’s made three commitments for this year, which is expected to help reduce violence.

The Ministry will review the Memorandum of Understanding within the Fiji Police Force to address the gaps in the implementation of the various decrees pertaining to the protection of women and children.

A MOU will be signed between the Women Ministry and the Ministry of i-Taukei affairs for a more targeted approach to address women’s economic empowerment.

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Another MOU between the Ministry and faith based organizations will address gender based violence in non i-Taukei communities.

“I commit here that under my watch the Ministry with the support of all its partners will work to ensure the full and effective implementation of our national gender policy which will involve gender main streaming to gender sensitization of the whole of government machinery.”

She says a number of issues faced by pacific women were highlighted during the two week long session, and these issues aren’t new for Fiji.

“Women are still used as pawns in war and internal unrest. Women continue to be raped, tortured, and trafficked on a larger scale to men. Women are witch hunted by groups of men and tortured on allegation of sorcery.”

Akbar was speaking during a function organized by the Ministry of Women yesterday.