Government working on a National Action Plan focused on need to stop violence against women

The government is working on a National Action Plan that will be focusing on the need to stop violence against women and girls as Fiji has lost eight women to sexual and gender-based violence within eight months this year.

Speaking at the Universal Periodic Review of Fiji’s National Reports at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Acting Director of the Department of Women, Selai Korovusere says despite government's partnership with civil society organisations, faith-based organisations and other stakeholders to provide an accessible and enabling environment for survivors to report their cases and members of the public to call out incidences of violence, these women have lost their lives.

She says the government looks to have an approach that will look at all areas of Fijian life and a framework that is inclusive, consultative, transformative, interactive, evidence-based, and accountable with good monitoring, evaluation, and feedback.

Korovusere adds the government will focus on the areas of economic empowerment, the elimination of violence against women, gender and climate change and women in leadership.

Korovusere says the outcome of the plan should see a reduction in tolerance and acceptance of violence and changed attitudes, behaviour and social norms and an increased understanding of the drivers of violence against women and girls.