PART 2: Special Miss Hibiscus Festival segment 2024 on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan

Miss Hibiscus Festival 2024 contestants agree that mental health issues are related to domestic violence and require space to be created for discussion and raising awareness to the public is vital.

This was highlighted by the contestants during fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan when asked what their stand is for positive change in our community for domestic violence.

Miss Tents and Awnings Melania Tora says creating spaces for us to discuss these issues is so important because a lot of people do not see mental health as related to the domestic abuse issue that we have, but it is very deeply rooted in our mental health issues.

Miss Moutai Ciara Lee says better health facilities for people who are going through these situations need to be provided and also just like a talk centre to let them know that they are never alone, and they can always talk to someone about it, and never go through violence.

Miss Island Accommodations Martina Sigrah says the abuser should be faced with harsher penalties, maybe a longer sentence, or more community work.

Meanwhile, Miss Ministry of Health Shyla Prasad says there has been an increase in domestic violence, but she highlighted that one issue during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, where couples and partners were in close contact with each other, and also intensified their stress levels, which led to domestic violence eventually.

Prasad suggests that a helpline and online mental health services be provided just to benefit these women.

Today is the last day of the Miss Hibiscus Festival.

The Miss Hibiscus 2024 crowning will be at 7pm at the Suva Foreshore Main Stage.

Miss Hibiscus Festival 2024 contestants agree that having an e-ticketing system in Fiji is great but they want an efficient system.

This was highlighted by the contestants during fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan when asked if they believe the e-ticketing system needs urgent attention.

Miss Island Accommodations Martina Sigrah says the e-ticketing system should be looked into because as we are moving into a more digital age, she feels there should more easier access to such things.

Sigrah says there is a need to have an efficient system where people don’t need to go far to redeem their cards after topping up.

Miss Tents and Awnings Melania Tora says we need to have a more seamless platform in terms of recharging but also have a leeway before transforming to the cashless method.

Tora says she thinks the cashless process should be slow and must consider all Fijians.

Miss Moutai Ciara Lee says since drivers no longer accept cash, some people have to walk to their destination when they don’t have e-ticketing cards.

Meanwhile, Miss Ministry of Health Shyla Prasad says the e-ticketing system has made peoples’ lives way easier because it’s much safer and handy.

However, Prasad also agrees that many places don’t have e-ticketing top-up services which can cause some trouble.

Today is day 6 of the Miss Hibiscus Festival.

The Resonance Concert will close the entertainment from 8pm to 10pm with their singers Fo Sho featuring Saimoni Vuatalevu.

Suva is one of the fastest developing cities in Fiji and to track drug dealers and theft issues, we need Councils to install surveillance cameras in our communities.

This was highlighted by Miss Ministry of Health Shyla Prasad during fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan when Miss Hibiscus contestants were asked about two things they would like to change in the Capital City.

Prasad says solar-powered cameras will help in heightening safety for the pedestrians, ensuring they don’t walk through the dark streets.

Miss Tents and Awnings Melania Tora says there should be more community centres around Suva as Fijians love to get together but there are not many family-friendly options.

She says it will be great to have places where they can have performances such as creative expression, dancing and art.

Tora says mental health support should be provided by creating healthy conversations as it’s not always necessary to have one-to-one counselling sessions.

Miss Moutai Ciara Lee says there is a lot of flooding that occurs because of the poor maintenance of the drainage system and we need to have better systems.

Lee further says the buildings in Suva City are also not well maintained and it creates a bad image of the Capital City, but this can be solved with the help of some simple painting jobs.

Miss Island Accommodation Martina Sigrah further says the road conditions have been the same for the past few years and she would like the roads to be upgraded and focus on the ocean clean up.

Sigrah adds our beaches need to remain litter-free.

Tonight is the Bogi-Ni-Itaukei night, where radio personalities from our sister radio station Viti FM will help you through the night with entertainment and other performances from the Fiji Arts Council featuring Mauri Entertainment performing tonight as well. The Miss Hibiscus Presentation show will take the stage as well tonight. The resonance concert featuring Inside Out band will take the stage from 8-10pm.