Today marks the end of the sixteen days of activism against violence against women and girls the world over, and right here in Fiji, campaigns held around the country have been deemed a huge success.

Women’s organizations, NGO’s and the government have been working hard to create awareness and put an end to violence against women.

Shamima Ali, Fiji Women’s Crisis Center Coordinator says while there’s much more to be done, they’ve achieved a lot in the last sixteen days of activism against violence against women.

“Many more people have come on board, it’s not just the crisis center and women’s organisations, villagers around Fiji, Vanua Levu and Viti Levu are doing activities, the Ministry for Women and the government have taken up activities.”

Even the government has admitted that their work and that of NGO’s is slowly bearing fruit.

Just last week, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama highlighted the significance of his Government’s efforts to modernize Fiji’s laws to provide greater justice for women.

Something he says has helped in giving women the confidence to speak out.

“For example, the removal of archaic rules, requiring corroboration in rape trials, recognising the property rights of those living in de-facto relationships, stopping the marriage of our female children, and the introduction of a new regime that addressess the abhorent practice of domestic violence. Thanks to the Domestic Violence Decree, Women now have greater protection from domestic violence.”

The sixteen days of activism against violence against women and girls is marked annually, and for 2012, both the government and NGO’s have agreed that more and more women are coming forward to report cases of abuse against them.