Vandana recalls having to hide from older men at bus stands

Youth Activist Nandani Vandana has raised serious concerns about how women and girls are being treated by some men in society and how people react to women who fight for their rights.

While speaking at the NGO Coalition on Human Rights Series of Panel Events for Fiji’s 50th Independence Anniversary, she says has witnessed a number of incidents such as women being beaten up by their partners in buses and young girls being teased by older men at bus stands.

Vandana says she remembers back in high school where older men always tried to talk to them and pester them. She adds they would always try to find a corner and hide but there was no place.

Vandana also spoke about an incident where a relative questioned her on why she wore a t-shirt which had “Stop Rape” printed on it.

Vandana adds working as a volunteer, she has seen a number of challenges faced by women which also includes a 9-month pregnant woman being taken on horseback for more than 10 kilometres to reach the nearest health centre.