The role of the judiciary is definitely amongst the most important ones in combating violence against women and girls - Akbar

With two out of three women in Fiji having experienced physical or sexual violence from a male intimate partner in their lifetime, Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Rosy Akbar says punishment and detaining is not only about serving justice but it also provides a platform for reform and rehabilitation.

While speaking at the Justice Sector Validation workshop for the National Action Plan, Akbar says that the role of the judiciary is definitely amongst the most important ones in combating violence against women and girls.

She says one woman turned away when she asks for help is one too many.

Akbar also says one man who assaults a woman or a child and is not held accountable and punished according to law for his crimes is one too many.

Akbar says to end the suffering of so many women and the fear they live with every day, their responsibilities as key stakeholders is heightened.

Akbar says we need to ask how we make it easier for women to leave abusive relationships without waiting for months without financial support.

The workshop was an opportunity to better understand the linkages and mutual reinforcing of the justice sector’s policies related to violence against women and girls, and articulate clear, action-oriented essential actions for the justice sector in Fiji’s National Action Plan.