Gender-Based Violence is rooted in poverty, conflict and unequal power dynamics - Empower Pacific Chair

Empower Pacific Board Chairperson Kokela Naicker says gender-based violence whether physical, sexual, emotional or economic, is recognised globally as one of the most widespread and persistent violations of the rights of women and girls.

While speaking at the candlelight vigil to commemorate the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in Lautoka, Naicker says gender-based violence is rooted in poverty, conflict and unequal power dynamics.

She says today, more than 20 years after the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women in 1993, one in three women experience physical or sexual violence, globally.

She also says this is unacceptable and reminds everyone to work together towards the eradication of violence against women and girls.

The Chairperson adds that statistics tell us that in Fiji, almost 64 percent of women have experienced lifetime physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, and one in three women have experienced sexual violence by either a partner or non-partner in their lifetime.

She says this comes at a significant cost not just to the women concerned but to their families, their communities and to the country as a whole.

Naicker says a recent statement by the Acting Commissioner of Police, Juki Fong Chew, revealed that of the total number of cases reported in October, 27 percent were domestic-related crimes against women.

She says from this total, 156 were between the ages of 18 to 38 years old, 51 were from 39 to 59 years old, and 6 were over the age of 60 years, and these are really shocking statistics.

She also says we must do something to stop this increasing violence against women and girls and losing our loved ones to Gender-Based Violence.

Naicker says Fijians must pose uncomfortable questions to themselves and shake everyday rituals that give way to the action of carrying out Gender-Based Violence.

She also asks what are we doing, individually and collectively, to address this menace that threatens to corrode our caring country.

The Chairperson hopes this event can be the start of an enduring conversation, a conversation with action that we as a nation should have taken more seriously a long time ago and hopes that we can acknowledge our emotions - anger, frustration, sadness, grief, and fear on what we have lost.

Naicker says everyone plays an important role in the eradication of Gender-Based Violence and the implementation of the National Service Delivery Protocol that allows for well-coordinated responses to ensure the provision of appropriate, timely and quality services for victims and survivors of gender-based violence.

She says it is our responsibility to stand ready to support in achieving results towards the prevention of violence.

The international theme for this year’s 16 days of Activism on Violence Against Women is: -UNiTE! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls”.

She adds if we are to be successful in our collaborative journey towards the fight for the elimination of violence against women and girls, we would need to strive to work towards transforming social norms that allow violence against women and girls to continue; to ensure survivors have access to quality response services; and to support institutions and organisations to meet their commitments to gender equality and the prevention of violence against women and girls.

Naicker says working together allows them to promote equal rights and opportunities through approaches in education and access to essential services.

Naicker says the orange t-shirts they were wearing represent a future free from violence against women and girls, and it also serves as a means of demonstrating their solidarity in eliminating all forms of violence.

She acknowledges the work that partners and community members do in the fight against the elimination of violence against women and girls.

The Chairperson says the vigil is to remember all the women and girls we have lost to Gender-Based Violence, honouring all the women who have survived and those who are still suffering silently.