The Domestic Violence Helpline has been set up and it will be officially launched by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama today.
Vodafone Fiji Limited, Digicel (Fiji) Limited and Telecom Fiji Limited who will be providing this service for free signed the agreement today.
Minister for Women Mereseini Vuniwaqa says they acknowledge the commitment by the three telecommunications companies and the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre to work together and bring this service to address the incidents of domestic violence in Fiji.
Vodafone Fiji's Head of Corporate Affairs, Shailendra Prasad says the fact is that a lot of women cannot access the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre in person because domestic violence is such that sometimes the victim is prevented from going to such centres.
He says the mobile phone provides the victim remote access and the toll free line facilitates them to access the service.
Digicel’s CEO Darren McLean says they are pleased to be a part of this to enable the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre to provide toll free calls to every woman in Fiji.
He says with the rate of domestic violence in some parts of the Pacific, it is a very important initiative and a fantastic resource for the women to make use of and there is no reason for the women not to call if they need help or advice.
