Silence and stigma remain major barriers to addressing domestic violence in Fiji, with new findings from the Social Cohesion and Reconciliation (SCORE) Index Assessment revealing that many people still believe women should tolerate abuse or face shame for speaking out.
The assessment, conducted across 14 provinces with more than 1,300 participants, found that 33 percent of people aged between 18 and 35, and 26 percent of those aged 36 years and above, believe women should tolerate violence in order to keep families together.
It also revealed that 45 percent of younger respondents and 41 percent of older respondents believe women who speak out against violence should be shamed.
Speaking during the media session on the SCORE Index Assessment findings, Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran describes the findings as deeply concerning.
Kiran says more than 70 percent of people across the country appeared to justify violence against women, warning that harmful attitudes towards abuse continue to be normalised within communities.
She stresses the need for communities, including women themselves, to stop shaming survivors who come forward and instead create safer environments for victims to seek help.
Kiran says the SCORE findings will help shape future government policies and programmes aimed at addressing violence, strengthening trauma healing, and improving social cohesion.
Despite the concerns surrounding domestic violence, the assessment also revealed encouraging signs regarding attitudes towards women in leadership.
According to the survey, there is strong support for women taking leadership roles in politics, workplaces, and communities across Fiji.
The study was conducted by the Centre for Sustainable Peace and Democratic Development (SeeD) in partnership with Fiji National University, with support from the United Nations Development Programme and UN Women.
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