PDF Files of February 1, 2020 Issue

FEBRUARY 1, 2020
Action Plan to curb violence against women initiated
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Fiji will implement a National Action Plan to
Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls
(VAWG), Women, Children and Poverty
Alleviation Minister Mereseini Vuniwaqa
has said.
She said that Fiji will be the first Pacific Island
Country to have in place such a Plan.
“Fiji will also be one of the only two countries
globally along with Australia, to have an
evidence-based approach to preventing violence
against women and girls,” she said.
Ms Vuniwaqa was a speaking at a press conference
in Suva on Monday, January 13, 2020 along
Health and Medical Services Minister Dr Ifereimi
Waqainabete, Education, Heritage and Arts
Minister Rosy Akbar and Assistant Minister for
Employment, Productivity, Industrial Relations,
Youth and Sports, Alvick Maharaj.
Government’s obligation
“The Government of Fiji recognises its obligation
to prevent violence against women and girls.
My Ministry will lead the development of a fiveyear
National Action to Prevent Violence against
Women and Girls (2020-2025). Once developed,
Fiji will be one of the only two countries in the
world to have a whole of government, inclusive,
evidence-based approach to prevent violence
against women and girls. Fiji National Action
Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women and
Girls will focus on preventing domestic violence,
intimate partner violence and sexual violence
against women and girls with an emphasis
on stopping violence before it starts. Data and
evidence from Fiji demonstrate that these are the
most prevalent or widespread forms of violence
against women and girls which urgently need to
be addressed,” Ms Vuniwaqa said.
She said that ten women in Fiji were killed by
their intimate partners in 2018.
“This is unacceptable. As a nation, we have a
shared responsibility to recognise, challenge and
prevent violent and disrespectful behaviour and
attitudes towards women and girls,” she said.
Epidemic of violence
Fiji is facing an epidemic of violence against
women and girls in both public and private
spaces.
Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini
Vuniwaqa speaking at the press conference in Suva on
January 13, 2020. Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete
is also in the picture. (Picture from Facebook)
Education Minister Rosy Akbar at the press conference
in Suva on January 13, 2020. Health Minister Dr Ifereimi
Waqainabete (Picture from Facebook)
The country has one of the highest recorded
rates of violence against women and girls globally,
with almost two out of three (64%) women
experiencing some form of physical or sexual
violence in their lifetime.
Ms Vuniwaqa challenged the media to show
responsibility and greater gender sensitivity
when they report on violence against women
and girls, saying that “because gender inequality
is at the core of the problem, gender equality
must be at the heart of the solution.”
Health and Medical Services Minister Ifereimi
Waqainabete said, “almost all survivors of
violence end up on the doorsteps of the health
sector even if they do not disclose the violence
they have experienced or explicitly seek care for
their injuries. Violence against women and girls
has health consequences that can be immediate
and acute, long-lasting and chronic, and/or fatal -
whether from prolonged illness and disability or
homicide.”
Manifestation of gender inequality
“To me, at its core, violence against women and girls in all
its forms is a manifestation of gender inequality, men and
boys’ power and control over women and a failure to recognise
the inherent equality and dignity of women and girls.
While Fijian women and girls bear the brunt of the violence,
the social, economic, physical, and psychological and health
costs cut more broadly across our society, ultimately harming
everyone,” he added.
Ms Akbar shared her personal experience of coming from a
family where domestic abuse often took place.
“Evidence also shows that certain groups of women, such as
younger women and girls, are at a higher risk of experiencing
violence. Family history of violence also significantly increases
the risk that girls and boys will experience or perpetuate
violence as adults. Men are more likely to become perpetrators
if they are beaten during their childhood. Women are more
likely to experience violence as an adult if they have also
witnessed or experienced violence as a child. This is the cycle
of violence that must be broken in our homes and families,”
she said.
Role of education
Ms Akbar said that education has a significant role to play in
transforming the root causes of violence against women and
girls as it is an important mechanism for the social, emotional
and psychological development of young people.
“Schools make ideal environment to challenge some of the
harmful social and cultural norms or standards that accept
violence towards others,” she said, emphasising the need for
strategic interventions including progressive gender sensitive
curriculums in schools at all levels.
Assistant Minister for Employment, Productivity, Industrial
Relations, Youth and Sports, Mr Maharaj said that amongst
other stakeholders and priority areas that can support the
prevention of violence and girls, youth and sport is key.
Gender inequality
“There is no doubt that the action to stop violence against
women and girls in Fiji must be taken now; and it must happen
in full force and through every possible avenue. Sport can
be one of the most powerful platforms for social change. Sport
brings people together across the community and provides
the opportunity to involve a diverse range of individuals and
groups across the nation.”
He acknowledged that “we have also been plagued by
disturbing allegation and news of sexual violence and harassment
by high profile sportsmen.”
The ministers confirmed that the cause of violence against
women and girls is gender inequality and patriarchy, and
pledged their ministries’ collective commitment to develop
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and implement the National Action Plan,
with other partners.
The Measures
The five-year National Action Plan will
set out short, medium- and long-term
measures to prevent violence against
women and girls by challenging its
underlying root causes. It will influence
social norms, promote community leadership
and set a much stronger culture
of equal and respectful relationships
between men and women.
The Women, Children and Poverty
Alleviation (MWCPA) Ministry plans
to complete the development of the
National Action Plan by 2020.
UN Women is the primary technical
partner to the MWCPA in developing the
National Action Plan. UN Women’s technical
and financial support is provided
through the Pacific Partnership to End
Violence Against Women and Girls.
What key work has already been
undertaken?
Advisory Group Meeting
The Ministry of Women, Children and
Poverty Alleviation (MWCPA) organised
a small advisory consultation group
of experts and key stakeholders to
participate in a two-day meeting on December
4 and 5, 2019 to advance critical
discussions and agreement related to the
content and development of the National
Action Plan to Prevent VAWG.
It was attended by representatives of
various government ministries, women’s
human rights organisations, transgender
people’s human rights organisation, a
disabled people’s organisation (DPO),
faith-based organisations, health-care
service providers, nongovernmental
organisations, and other civil society
organisations.
This ‘kick-start’ meeting resulted in
reaching consensus on the root cause
and key risk factors/contributing factors
for VAWG in Fiji; the scope of violence
and agreement on shared language and
definitions to be used moving forward;
along with recommendations on the
process for developing the National
Action Plan.
In addition, the participants agreed to
form and be part of a wider Prevention
Advisory Group to support the development
of the National Action Plan.
A strategic outcome document was
developed and validated by all members
of the Prevention Advisory Group and is
the foundational first step to developing
the National Action Plan.
Technical guidance
The advisory working group provides
technical guidance to the Government
of Fiji in the development and roll out
of the national action plan. A core group
from the advisory group will further
accelerate action on next steps. Members
of the core group include Shamima Ali,
Coordinator of Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre,
Reverend Sereima Lomaloma, House
of Sarah, Nalini Singh, Executive Director
of Fiji Women’s Rights Movement,
Hannah Mara, House of Khameloen,
Prem Singh, Empower Pacific, Ashna
Shaleen, Executive Director Medical
Services Pacific, Josefa Ravula, Fiji Red
Cross Society; and representatives of
Government agencies.
The next steps
The National Action Plan will be
developed in a participatory manner,
engaging both government and nongovernment
actors alike, with responsibility
for various stages of design and implementation
assigned appropriately.
Based on the main recommendations
from the Prevention Advisory Group
meeting, the following key steps will be
taken: (a) A series of nationwide consultations
and dialogues with stakeholders
from key settings/sectors and communities
will be undertaken in 2020 to inform
the development of the National Action
Plan. This will be led by MWCPA and
partners. It will be inclusive, ensuring
the voices of ALL women and girls in
all their diversities are included (b) The
Prevention Advisory Group will provide
technical guidance to the Fijian Government
in the development and rollout
of the National Action Plan (c) A core
working group nominated from within
the Prevention Advisory Group will
further accelerate action and provide
strategic and technical oversight, and
endorsement of the National Action Plan
and processes as it develops.