The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre has completed a week-long intensive training for 35 Gender Focal Points from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, focusing on gender, human rights, violence against women and girls and basic counselling ethics.
The training aimed to advance gender awareness and strengthen institutional responses to violence against women within the RFMF.
FWCC says the participants engaged in in-depth sessions on gender dynamics, the root causes and impacts of violence against women and girls, and the role institutions play in prevention and response.
They say emerging issues such as technology-facilitated violence and violence in emergency settings were also addressed, alongside Fiji’s laws on domestic violence and sexual offences.
FWCC Coordinator Shamima Ali acknowledged RFMF’s commitment to eliminating violence against women and girls and promoting gender equality within its ranks.
She emphasised that understanding gender and violence is essential for those in positions of responsibility.
RFMF Gender Advisor Lavenia Raisua described the training as a significant step forward in strengthening the institution’s response to violence against women and girls.
She highlighted the participatory nature of the program and its focus on ethical, survivor-centered practices, as well as promoting gender equality across all areas of RFMF operations.
