Sixty women from the Sawau district in Beqa are participating in a two-week intensive training program organized by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC), coinciding with the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women and Girls campaign. This initiative focuses on key issues such as gender, human rights, legal literacy, and technology-facilitated violence against women and girls.
Shamima Ali, the coordinator of the FWCC, emphasized that the training is a crucial aspect of the organization’s nationwide strategy designed to cultivate community advocates who can help combat violence against women and girls. Ali praised the Rewa provincial office for acknowledging the significance of gender equality in the developmental process.
The FWCC has been proactive in Rewa, facilitating several awareness programs aimed at both men and women since 2023. Notably, over 100 men completed the male advocacy program in 2025, which encourages them to critically assess and transform their attitudes and behaviors towards women and girls. Concurrently, village committees to support domestic violence survivors and promote awareness have been established in the region.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign, recognized globally from November 25 to December 10, draws attention to violence against women as a fundamental human rights issue. The ongoing support from Australia and New Zealand further strengthens the FWCC’s efforts to advance women’s rights and eradicate violence throughout Fiji and the Pacific.
This initiative marks a hopeful step towards fostering safer communities and empowers women, illustrating a collective commitment to challenging the patriarchal structures that contribute to gender-based violence. With a growing participation rate in such training programs, the future appears optimistic for meaningful societal changes in relation to gender equality and the elimination of violence against women.