Violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable and never tolerated.
This was the sentiment of Minister for Women, Mereseini Vuniwaqa at the Forum of Elimination of Violence Against Women.
The Fiji Police Force says last year there was a decrease of six percent in crimes against women.
Vuniwaqa addressed the serious issues on the devastating effects on the lives of women.
She says sexual violence and gender based violence is the most extreme form of in-equality experienced by women and girls.
She says the Fijian Government’s commitment reflected through the laws, policies, international treaties and budgetary allocations aiming to uphold the rights of women.
Today different women groups, Non-Government Organisation, and stakeholders vowed to challenge violence against women and girls.
The forum was an opportunity to hear the roles and challenges faced on policies addressing gender based violence.
Meanwhile Deputy Police Commissioner, ACP Isikeli Ligairi says the Fiji Police Force is committed to being part of eliminating all forms of violence against women and children.
ACP Ligairi says the No-Drop Policy is also in place where cases of violence against women cannot be reconciled.
In 2015, the Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the previous Minister of Women, to strengthen cooperation for the protection of children and domestic violence against women.
