Gender-based violence affects one in three women globally - Mitchell

Gender-based violence remains a devastating issue affecting one in three women globally.

This was highlighted by KPMG Enterprise National Managing Partner, Naomi Mitchell who says this issue is a pervasive crisis impacting communities worldwide.

She says this frightening statistic is the reason they support the Wear It Black initiative where they wear black every Thursday in a show of solidarity for victims and survivors of violence.

Mitchell says as a firm, they want to stand against gender-based violence as there is no place for it in our communities.

Managing Partner KPMG Fiji Lisa Apted says dressing in black may seem like a small gesture but it is unified teams across the Pacific and Australia.

Apted says there are now more than 16 KPMG offices following KPMG Fiji’s lead, and what began as a focus in their Fiji offices has travelled and it has been powerful to see other teams join in and do what they can do to support this important cause.

She adds that she is proud that a passion for creating positive community change has brought teams together, and even more so, that KPMG has committed to making a significant charity donation to three women’s shelters in Fiji, PNG, and Australia.

Meanwhile, KPMG Fiji’s donation to the DIVA D-Hive hub in Nadi is making a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable women and gender-diverse individuals in Fiji.

In a statement, KPMG Fiji says the D-Hive hub provides vital support to those in urban poor, rural and remote areas, offering services like accompaniment to police stations, access to medical and social services, CV assistance and essential resources such as dry food, household goods and clothing for job interviews.

KPMG employees across Australia and the South Pacific are supporting 16 days of Activism which started yesterday and will end on the 10th of the next month.

This year's theme is “Safe, Everywhere, Always”.