Gender Violence cases during emergencies, often goes untreated in Fiji.

This was revealed by the UNFPA Sub-regional officer Director – Dirk Jena while addressing participants of gender based violence workshop in Suva today.

Jena says reports show that women and children are not always safe in evacuation centres, where they seek refuge during natural disasters.

As a result of hardships from natural disasters, families often force young girls into early marriages.

“Now our first intention is to look into appeals and responses during the floods in the west. Then see what worked and what did not and what can be done and what needs to be improved and the needs of the women and the girls."

He says there is an urgent need to educate the public on the effects of violence during emergency.

Meanwhile, the weeklong workshop will end on Friday.