Domestic violence is shockingly high - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Culture is not hardened into bitterness and rigidity, cultures are strong when they are renewable and when they recognise and resolve injustice.

This was highlighted by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein while speaking at an open lecture at the University of the South Pacific.

Al Hussein stated that he is alarmed by the discrimination and violence which are suffered by so many women across this region.

He adds that domestic violence is shockingly high and over two‑thirds of women in PNG, Fiji and Kiribati have suffered domestic violence and sexual offenses.

Al Hussein says that despite some changes in law, women are still facing severely discriminatory policies, social and cultural barriers across the Pacific Islands.

He has stressed that this needs to change adding that tackling the limits on women's freedom does not have to mean destroying a culture.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also pointed out his visit to Fiji also marks the beginning of the 70th commemorative year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Al Hussein, who arrived into the country on Friday is the first UN Human Rights High Commissioner to visit Fiji and the Pacific is on a three‑day visit to Fiji.