Violence against women costs about 7% of Fiji's GDP - UN Resident Coordinator

Violence against women is estimated to cost the Fijian economy around 7 percent of GDP.

This has been highlighted by UN Resident Coordinator to Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu Dirk Wagener while speaking during the commemoration of the Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls Phase 1 and inauguration of Phase 2.

He says this is an absolutely staggering number and it's due to factors of health care, social services, and loss of income.

Wagener says it is imperative that they allocate substantial resources to end this violence and ensure the sustainability of the initiatives.

He says government partners and governments alike must integrate transformative gender indicators into all development sector plans, with strong monitoring and reporting in line with the Pacific leaders gender equality declaration.

The Resident Coordinator says likewise, the role of civil society organisations is crucial in the Pacific context.

He says they are essential in supporting women survivors of violence and maintaining their role as observers and monitors of the situation and the rights of women to live lives free of violence.

Wagener adds men have to be champions for this cause because they have to speak to other men and lead as role models.