THE empowerment of women in Fiji has long been stifled by a deadly culture of physical violence and gender-based discrimination.
This was highlighted by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama in his response to President Jioji Konrote’s speech in Parliament on Monday.
He said the abusers themselves were despicable, but the blame for this societal plague also fell on every man who failed to challenge patriarchal systems and uproot mentalities of male entitlement and supremacy.
“It is not only about the violent acts themselves, men in our society suffer from a chronic lack of awareness of the subtle, yet devastating dynamics that suppress women’s voices and restrict their opportunities.
Mr Bainimarama also said Government’s campaign to make leaders of more young people would mean nothing if the unfair and systemic barriers thrown in the faces of Fijian women and girls were not addressed.
“As Prime Minister, I reaffirm my total commitment to our urgent campaign to grant every woman and girl the confidence that they are secure, the knowledge that they are valued and the foundation of education and opportunity they need to become who they strive to be.
“So often, Fijian men do not want to know how their decisions, their inaction and their apathy fuel this raging crisis of gender-based violence and discrimination. They make excuses, they distract from the issue, all because they fail to sympathise with and understand the very real threats and discriminating women and girls face.”
