Fiji has one of the highest rates of domestic and sexual violence in the world.

The latest report by the International Finance Corporation shows that almost two-thirds of the country’s women experience domestic or sexual violence during their lifetime.

Launching the “Business Case for Workplace Responses to Domestic and Sexual Violence in Fiji” report in Suva today – IFC Operations Officer Gender and Lead Author, Shabnam Hameed says the study included three private sector companies, collectively employing 1,701 employees as of December 2018.

Hameed says the companies were selected to ensure sector diversity and based on their commitment to supporting staff affected by domestic and sexual violence.

563 staff completed the staff survey.

The study identifies the impacts of domestic and sexual violence on Fijian employees and employers.

She says for the three companies, the high rates of domestic and sexual violence translate into lost staff time and reduced productivity, equivalent to almost ten days of lost work per employee each year.

The study also included individual and group interviews involving 43 women and 43 men in both supervisory and non-supervisory roles.

The report aims to inform the development of tailored solutions for the business community in the country.

The study is part of an ongoing IFC initiative to develop workplace responses to domestic and sexual violence in the Pacific, which supports employees experiencing violence and reduces impacts on the workplace.