As a young woman lost her life in a tragic incident, the Minister for Women and Children, Lynda Tabuya says domestic violence is a human rights violation and a criminal offence that is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
This is after a 25-year-old woman was found lying motionless with visible stabbing injuries at an apartment complex along Robertson Road in Suva yesterday.
Tabuya says she is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of the young woman and has also expressed her condolences to the victim's family and loved ones, as well as to those who have lost their loved ones in the similar circumstances.
The Minister says the government of Fiji recognises that these incidences of violence are not isolated incidents but deep-rooted gender inequalities and patriarchal structures that perpetuate men's power and control which normalise violence.
Tabuya further says that to combat this, we must unite as a country and implement key preventative measures such as fostering respectful relationships, educating about consent and dismantling gender discriminatory stereotypes around us.
She adds that true safety will only be realised when Fijian women and girls of all diversity are seen and treated as equal partners in our communities and therefore the Ministry is dedicated to enforcing the Fiji National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against All Women and Girls (2023–2028), which was rolled out in January 2024 in collaboration with civil society, women's rights groups and faith-based organizations.
If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline - 1560 or the Child Helpline - 1325.
