Fiji: Laying the Foundation to Combat Violence Against Women
Fiji: Laying the Foundation to Combat Violence Against Women
July 21, 2014
Suva, Fiji – ICAAD recently brought a team of six members to the capital city of Suva, Fiji to build partnerships, hear from local and regional activists, and lay the foundation for programs seeking to combat violence against women (VAW) in Fiji and the Pacific Island region, where an average of 66% of women have experienced domestic violence or sexual assaults.In over 25 meetings and 12 one-on-one interviews we learned of the overwhelming challenges facing women, and with the suggestions from international, regional, and local stakeholders identified six major areas where the ICAAD team could intervene:
Rule of Law Training: Magistrates, Police, Legal and Health Professionals
Evidence Based Research: Examining case law with respect to VAW
Tech & Comm: Connecting women’s rights activists and creating safe spaces for rural women to become economically empowered and foster leadership
Int’l Law: Developing a human rights framework in the region with a gender lens
Faith Based Training: Identifying ways faith can promote gender equality rather than perpetuating dangerous norms and stereotypes
Capacity Building: Identifying small-scale interventions that can provide the spark for smaller NGOs to succeed
Join Our Team by Supporting this Multi-Year Initiative!
By working with local partners and using data to inform our interventions, we will work to ensure women’s access to justice and foster an environment and culture where there is accountability for VAW. Join our team by supporting us today!
Problems Women Face Accessing Justice in Fiji and the Pacific Islands Roshika Deo, ICAAD Consultant
From L to R: Dan Creasey, DLA Piper; Hansdeep Singh, ICAAD; Emily Christie, DLA Piper; Arieta Moceica, Ministry of Social Welfare, Women, & Poverty Alleviation; Joe Wheeler, School of Design Strategies at Parsons; Jaspreet Singh, ICAAD
Meetings with Key Stakeholders:
EmbassiesUnited KingdomAustralia
United States
New Zealand
NGOs/ Grass Roots
Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM)
femLink Pacific
Women’s Information Network (WINET)
Fiji Women’s Forum
Fiji Women’s Youth Forum
Oceania Pride
Survivor Advocacy Network (SAN)
Regional Bodies
Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT)
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS)
Law Firm
Munroe Ley
International AgenciesUnited Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)U.N. Women
Government
Ministry for Women, Social Welfare, and Poverty Alleviation
Attorney General’s Office
Faith Communities
Sanatan
Fiji Muslim League
Catholic Church
Methodist Church
Healthcare
Medical Services Pacific (MSP)
Youth Champs for Mental Health
We would like to thank all of the organizations and individuals who took their valuable time to meet and discuss VAW and potential solutions.
