A high‑ranking official in the Methodist Church of Fiji has objected to the increasing of prison sentences for perpetrators of violence against women and girls.
Secretary for the Department of Christian Citizenship and Social Services Reverend Iliesa Naivalu stated at the Speaker’s debate organized by the Parliament of Fiji that there is no use in increasing court sentences for perpetrators, as it does not work.
He was one of the five panelists who was part of the debate at the Grand Pacific Hotel last night.
Naivalu said long court sentences only keeps sons, husbands, fathers and grandfathers behind bars and away from their loved ones for a long period.
The former court clerk and journalist said that there should be an opportunity for remorseful perpetrators to seek forgiveness from victims.
Naivalu said human beings are sinful in nature and women including girls need to be educated on the physical, mental and emotional state of men.
A fellow panelist, Minister for Women and Children, Rosy Akbar strongly disagreed with Reverend Iliesa Naivalu’s comments.
She said that men and women should always be treated equally regardless of the situation they may face.
Maraia Tabunakawai of the Fiji Women's Rights Movement was also a panelist at the debate last night.
She believes Fiji has only made small progress in tackling the issue of violence against women and girls.
