As the National Domestic Violence Helpline received 675% more calls in April compared to February, leading women’s NGOs are saying this was because of increased pressure within a household, money issues or stress within the home environment.
The helpline received 587 calls in April compared to 187 calls in March and 87 in February this year.
Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre Coordinator Shamima Ali says COVID-19 has had a huge impact on violence in some homes.
Ali says we live in a patriarchal society where men use their privileges to use violence against women and children.
She adds some men are one dimensional and only know their work.
Meanwhile, DIVA for Equality Director, Noelene Nabulivou says when you have increased pressure within a household, whether its due to money issues or any kind of stress within the home environment, there will be an increase in the number of sexual and gender-based violence or intimate partner violence.
Nabulivou says this is about power and control and not about sexual behaviour oppression of women and girls.
