Opposition Member of Parliament Rinesh Sharma has raised serious concerns regarding the government’s effectiveness in addressing violence against women and girls, following a recent ministerial statement by Sashi Kiran, the Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection. Sharma highlighted the alarming reality that this year alone has seen nine lives lost due to intimate partner violence, reflecting a broader societal crisis exacerbated by domestic violence, which has an estimated economic impact of $300 million annually.
Sharma critiqued the government’s focus on policies and statistics, arguing that mere announcements do not translate into tangible results on the ground. He emphasized the need for a more inclusive approach, recognizing that vulnerability to violence spans across all genders and ages. “Is the Minister for Women implying that her government’s policies are ineffective?” he questioned in Parliament, pointing out the ongoing issues of violence, including online targeting of women and the backlog of undisposed cases.
In response to these concerns, Minister Kiran outlined the Fiji National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against All Women and Girls, which was developed after consultations with over 2,000 Fijians. She emphasized that this initiative aims at addressing root causes such as gender inequality and harmful societal norms. Kiran also mentioned key measures already in motion, such as reviewing the Family Life Education curriculum and launching the Pacific’s first National GBV Shelter Guidelines, which aim to provide support to victims and prevent domestic violence.
In the context of rising domestic violence rates, Kiran acknowledged that many incidents remain unreported due to societal stigma. She called for community engagement and intervention, encouraging families and neighbors to act when they witness abuse, highlighting the urgent need for a collective commitment to transform societal perceptions of domestic violence.
Sharma’s call for improved, survivor-centered services—including shelters, hotlines, and a justice system prioritizing all forms of violence—aligns with Kiran’s advocacy for addressing domestic violence comprehensively. Both officials stress an urgent need for concerted action to create a culture of safety and respect, and bolster community support systems for victims.
Amidst these challenges, the ongoing dialogue about domestic violence in Fiji represents a growing recognition of the issue’s severity and the necessity for community and governmental collaboration to take actionable steps toward eradicating violence. This commitment, echoed across various governmental and community initiatives, instills hope for a future where every individual can live free from the threat of violence, fostering a safer and more compassionate society.