Speaking in Parliament today, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama highlighted the need for Fijian men to wake up to the hurt and pain they are causing.

Men who abuse women or allow it to happen around them are cowards.

Speaking in Parliament earlier today, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama highlighted the need for some Fijian men to wake up to the hurt and pain they are causing.

“The empowerment of women in this country has long been stifled by a deadly culture of physical violence and gender-based discrimination. The abusers themselves are despicable – but the blame also falls on every man who fails to challenge patriarchal systems and uproot mentalities of entitlement and supremacy.”

He adds the government is leading by example, by breaking down the philosophy of the so-called ‘old boys club’.

“In my office, 62% of leadership roles are held by women. In the Attorney General’s chambers, over 70% of the lawyers are women. We all know these roles have traditionally been male-dominated. Often times women weren’t given more than a peek into these offices.”

Bainimarama said domestic violence, physical and emotional abuse have a larger national and economic impact and men who sympathize with abusers who remain silent – are just as much to blame.