Fiji Women's Crisis Centre Coordinator Shamima Ali says they have recorded 483 cases of marital rape between 2016 and 2021 and this is the biggest increase she has seen in all their existence.
She highlighted this while speaking at the “If Women Stop, The World Stops” concert which was organized by the Fiji Women's Rights Movement today.
The survivors or marital rape were between the ages of 18 and 72.
Ali says in these cases, men have raped women in their own homes that they are supposed to love and cherish.
Ali says statistics on rape, child rape and violence against women are on the rise.
She adds less than 5% of the rape cases in Fiji are reported which is very unfortunate.
Ali also says there has not been much improvement in the lives of women and they are still fighting for what they fought for 30 years ago.
She says women still have to do the housework early in the morning even if they have a paid job.
Ali says the process continues when they reach home in the afternoon.
She adds the struggle continues and they have to keep fighting until they smash patriarchy.
More than 150 women showed up at the “If Women Stop, the World Stops” concert today at the Fiji Museum.
The concert was used as a platform for women and girls to express their concerns around women's human rights in Fiji.
Popular local musicians such as Laisa Vulakoro, Georgina Ledua, Etta Gonerogo, Milika Roro, Talei Draunibaka, Paulini Bautani, Harsha Harsmeetal and Laisa Bulatale were part of the concert.
Speakers from various organisations also used the concert as their space to advocate and voice their opinions on issues around rape, gender discrimination, gender injustice, disability issues, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
