Empowerment of women has long been stifled by a deadly culture of gender-based discrimination - PM

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says the empowerment of women in Fiji has long been stifled by a deadly culture of physical violence and gender-based discrimination.

While speaking in Parliament today, Bainimarama says the abusers themselves are despicable but the blame for this societal plaque also falls on every man who fails to challenge patriarchal systems and mentalities of male entitlement and supremacy.

Bainimarama says it is not about the violent act themselves, men in our society suffer from a chronic lack of awareness of the subtle yet devastating dynamics that suppress women's voices and restrict their opportunities.

He says they are seeing successes along with critical support from their developmental partners in civil society, they are making lives safer and more fulfilling for our mothers, wives, daughters, grand-daughters, nieces and all the girls and women with whom we share this nation.

The Prime Minister says more victims of domestic violence are coming forward to report the abuses through the 24 hour toll free domestic helpline.

Bainimarama says since the introduction of free education more girls are attending schools.