As Fiji marks International Women’s Day, Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran is calling on communities to move beyond celebration and commit to real action to support women and gender equality.
Kiran says we do not pay enough attention to how much women sacrifice.
She says women are often the first to wake up, managing farms, homes and workplaces, and carrying many responsibilities.
Kiran, who has spent the past several days visiting interior communities in Vanua Levu, says women play a vital role in holding families and communities together, and they deserve justice as well as meaningful action.
She also paid tribute to the women who paved the way for progress.
Kiran says this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Rights, Justice and Action”, highlights the importance of ensuring women are able to claim their rights.
She acknowledged that many women still struggle to access justice and support.
INSERT: Kiran on struggles 8th Mar
The Minister highlighted gender-based violence as one of the major concerns affecting women in Fiji.
She says many women struggle with gender-based violence and are unable to leave those situations because of a lack of economic support.
Kiran says government initiatives such as the National Action Plan on Prevention of Violence Against Women and the National Action Plan on Women’s Economic Empowerment aim to address these issues, although implementation across urban, rural and maritime communities remains challenging.
She also shared statistics showing the scale of violence against women in Fiji.
Kiran says evidence shows that around 64 percent of women in intimate partner relationships experience extreme forms of violence, while 72 percent of women aged between 18 and 64 have experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence in their lifetime.
She adds that research shows it can take more than 800 days, or over two years, for some women to seek justice or leave violent situations, while only 24 percent of survivors access support through government institutions.
Kiran also raised concerns about the vulnerability of young girls.
She says in serious cases 94 percent of victims are women and girls, and the average age of victims of sexual violence is around 14 years.
She says women across different stages of life face a range of challenges, including violence at home, workplace barriers, limited leadership opportunities and property disputes affecting widows and older women.
Kiran revealed that Cabinet endorsed legal reforms late last year to help close gaps in protection and support systems.
INSERT: Kiran on strengthening laws 8th Mar
Kiran is also calling on families, communities, men and boys to support gender equality.
She says gender equality is not about taking power away but about building a country and families where everyone can live with dignity and respect.
She is urging communities to move beyond celebration and commit to real action.
Kiran says we should build a Fiji where every segment of the community ensures that women receive justice when they need it, and where every woman and girl lives free from fear and violence and is able to utilise the opportunities available to them.
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