Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is a cause of physical and psychological suffering among women - Raj

The Director of the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-discrimination Commission Ashwin Raj says it is known that sexual and gender-based violence is a widespread cause of physical and psychological suffering among women and children and it is a violation of their right to health.

Speaking on the session on Right to Health at the Attorney General's Conference at the Intercontinental Resort in Natadola, Raj says in situations of violence and discrimination, women’s ability to enjoy bodily autonomy, integrity, and institutionally validated agency, their ability to have control over their bodies and to make informed and responsible decisions free from coercion, discrimination and violence, on matters related to their sexuality, including their sexual and reproductive health is compromised.

He also spoke about the issue of synthetic and hard drugs being both a public health and a development issue.

Raj further adds that the high cost of rehabilitation needs to be further sutured by the fact that even if were to establish these rehabilitation centres, do we have the skills and expertise?

He adds that the increasing number of substance abuse cases at St. Giles, the establishment of rehabilitation centres will be important.

Raj further says that the Fijian Government has allocated $800,000 to fund a stronger effort to combat drug trafficking with an additional $720,000 allocated towards the purchase of intercept boats.

Raj also says that climate change will not only negatively affect the determinants of health such as clean air, safe and sufficient supplies of water but extreme and erratic weather patterns will result in displacement and disease and will have an impact not only on the right to health but the right to life as well.