“The days when men were only medical staff are gone.”

Minister for Health, Dr. Ifereimi Waqainabete made this comment while speaking at the opening of the Pacific Regional Dialogue on Engaging Men in the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls at Warwick Resort Fiji this morning.

Dr. Waqainabete says they now have health centers and sub-divisional hospitals completely run by women.

He says they have to get out of the idea that women’s place is in the kitchen and only in homes.

Dr. Waqainabete says 67 percent of their staff in the Ministry of Health are women and if they take out women, Fiji’s health system will collapse.

Dr. Waqainabete says in order to stop violence before it starts, they must address and transform social norms that are harmful to the well being of women and girls and encourage the norms that support safe homes and peaceful communities.

ADVERTISEMENT