Male advocates to take part in dialogue with the aim to end violence against women

The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre will convene a one-day dialogue in Lautoka tomorrow which will see the participation of about 25 men who are working as male advocates between Sigatoka and Rakiraki.

This is part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign.

FWCC Coordinator and human rights activist, Shamima Ali says the dialogue will include traditional leaders, Turaga-ni-Koros, advisory counsellors, ex-police officers and community leaders who have already been working as male advocates.

She says the aim of the dialogue is to revisit principles of engaging men, review role of male advocates, look at lessons learnt, share case studies, address challenges in this work for men, their role in the Government’s National Action Plan for the prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls and map a way forward in the involvement of men to end violence against women and girls.

Ali adds FWCCs male advocacy training promotes introspection and thinking around women, equality and the human rights of women in every sphere of the man’s life including the home, community, traditional setting and workplace.

FWCC developed the Male Advocacy for Women’s Human Rights and Against Violence against Women program in 2002.

She says it is designed to work with men in questioning and reflecting on their own individual behaviours on gender inequality and violence against women, before they could support efforts to address violence against women and girls.

Altogether, around 200 men continue their advocacy and remain in touch with the Centre.