72% of women in relationships experience some form of abuse

72% of women in Fiji who have been in a relationship have experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence from their husband or partner and many have suffered from all three forms of abuse.

This was highlighted by the Assistant Minister for Women Veena Bhatnagar at the Gender Based Violence Service Delivery Protocol Workshop.

This is according to a research published in 2013 by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre.

She says 58% of the women experienced emotional violence in their lifetime.

Bhatnagar says 34% of women who have ever been in an intimate relationship have experienced violence by a husband or intimate partner in their lifetime.

The Minister says the data provided by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre is a good place to start.

Bhatnagar says it is unacceptable that women and girls risk being a target of gender‑based violence.

She says preventing and responding to gender‑based violence must be recognized as lifesaving activities.

Bhatnagar says having a protocol in place will ensure that all agencies are guided by a set of principles when dealing with victims or survivors of violence.

She says the victims and survivors of gender‑based violence need the task forces support, to ensure their voices are being heard, and services are aligned to their needs.