Women living in the interior villages unaware of their rights and domestic violence laws - Nakolinivalu

Women in some interior villages of Fiji are unaware of their rights, domestic violence policies and actions that are taken regarding domestic violence issues.

This has been highlighted by the Reproductive and Family Health Association Manager, Tarai Nakolinivalu, during the consultation meeting on sexual reproductive health between the Association and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Nakolinivalu says during the team's community outreach to one of the villages, it was shocking to see that the women in these villages did not know about what women's rights were and what could be done when women face domestic violence.

She says the Reproductive and Family Health Association team is visiting various villages to educate women about their rights and to raise awareness about gender-based violence and domestic violence policies.

Meanwhile, Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre Coordinator, Shamima Ali says there are some men and women who still do not know about their legal rights.

She says FWCC with its legal officers are reaching out to communities and villages in educating people and advocating them about such matters and policies through targeted areas according to their data including maritime areas such as Lomaiviti, Vanua Levu and Yasawa.

Ali says FWCC is also reaching out to students, teachers, religious groups and organizations in advocating and creating awareness programs regarding domestic violence, child abuse and people's rights through school visitation, church visits, radio and media channels in different languages.

She also urges organizations and people to report such matters so that they can reach out for help in creating awareness and advising people in those communities and societies.