186 cases of rape reported between January and August this year

186 cases of rape were reported from January to August this year and 119 victims were below the age of 18.

This has been highlighted by Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran during a 16 Days of Activism that was held at the Fiji Teachers Union Hall

Kiran says a shocking statistic for a proud country like Fiji is that more than 60 percent of Fijian women have endured some form of violence during their lifetime.

Kiran also acknowledged the Fiji Women Crisis Centre for this study and those who work in this sphere of identifying violence against women in the world which is 1 out of 3 in the world, but for Fiji, it is 2 out of 3 women facing some form of violence in their own homes.

She adds that other family members apart from intimate partners have also been found to perpetrate violence against women and this has sadly been very normalized in our culture, that is to use physical violence to punish, discipline and control women.

She also shared her concerns about our young girls coming out of the orphanages at 17-18 years of age with no place to go and no support.

Kiran has called upon human rights defenders to focus on the young who need additional emotional, moral, economic and accommodation support.

The Assistant Minister also reminded teachers that their role as teachers is crucial for the protection of our children and their interaction with children and understanding their behaviour is important for a better future for this nation.

She says their words and actions impact every child that goes through their class and with their contribution, it will surely shape young girls and boys to respect each other and grow up into responsible adults.