Some indo-Fijian women feel ashamed to admit that they are victims of violence and sexual harassment - Sharma

The President of Sanatan Nari Sabha of Fiji, Shanti Sharma says some Indo-Fijian women feel there is an inherent shame and embarrassment attached to admitting that they are a victim of violence and sexual harassment.

After finding out that 72% of women experience one or more types of violence in their lifetime from their husbands or intimate partner and 43% of women surveyed at three leading business houses agreed with one or more reasons that justified wife beating, Sharma says this has been a concern in the Indo Fijian community just like other communities.

Sharma says some Indo-Fijian women do not step out of their house and often stop themselves because they believe that this is their culture.

Sharma says women must not tolerate violence and must speak out against it and not worry about what the society will think about it.

Permanent Secretary for Women, Jennifer Poole has revealed that  72% of women experience one or more types of violence in their lifetime from their husbands or intimate partner.

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