Some informal waste pickers removed from their homes for their own safety after enduring domestic violence

Some women informal waste pickers endured and struggled with abuse and domestic violence at the hands of their partners because they could not give them money despite not earning due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

These women who pick up and sort through trash to earn a living could not do this during the height of the pandemic and though assistance was rendered through finance or food rations, they would still endure domestic violence for not giving their partners money.

Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited Director Amitesh Deo has seen first hand and assisted women in the informal waste picking sector who were under this type of abuse during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Some of the cases these women went through include men selling the distributed food packs that were intended for the household, men taking away the financial assistance for the household leaving women and children without basic necessities and even the removal of women and children from their own homes for their own safety.

Deo says they worked with government agencies, Police and the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre to get the vulnerable women out of their homes.

Deo has made a strong call for these women who are informal waste pickers to be encouraged to know their rights and be recognized for the work they do.

Deo also confirms that several cases were referred to Police and they were of great assistance in these incidences.

He says the one week workshop they are running beginning today and supported by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre will help educate these women of their rights and also encourage them to be more vocal to better help their families.