21 communities undergo training to become violence free

21 new communities are currently in the process of becoming champions for violence free communities in Fiji.

Minister of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Rosy Akbar said the training program will help these communities become well equipped with skills to effectively address issues concerning domestic violence, child abuse and gender inequality.

Akbar highlighted the Zero Tolerance Violence Free Communities program has been established to strengthen networks with the local and rural communities in terms of eliminating violence against women and children.

She added the police officers in these communities receive training on gender sensitization and appropriate service delivery for victims of Gender Based Violence.

Akbar said these officers also deliver advanced training on the legal perspective to the communities in terms of raising awareness on the Domestic Violence Decree and Child Welfare Decree.

As of 2008, a total of 39 communities have been declared Violence Free Communities.