Economic cost of violence against women and girls in Fiji is estimated at over $300m

The economic cost of violence against women and girls in Fiji is estimated at over $300 million per year, roughly 7% of our annual GDP.

The Fiji Women's Rights Movement highlighted this following the tragic incidents that occurred over the weekend, where two women and a man lost their lives due to domestic violence.

According to their research, it takes women more than two years to report violence, and statistics show that Fiji has the highest prevalent rate of violence in the world.

They say domestic violence is not just a family matter and we should not allow violence to continue — it makes us complicit.

FWRM is questioning how many girls and women will be assaulted and murdered for us to say enough is enough.

They say these women mean the world to their children, families and people who love them, we can't be bystanders anymore.

They questioned why are we not speaking up against perpetrators of violence as women are covered under the violence their partner inflicts, and women are running out of their houses with bruises on their bodies, black eyes and bloody faces.

FWRM adds that we must recognise women who are experiencing violence may not have access to a safe environment to report abuse or the necessary resources to leave violent relationships.