Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran is urging all Fijians to wear black every Thursday and take practical steps to end rape and violence against women.
Speaking in support of the Thursdays in Black campaign, Ms Kiran said the initiative challenged communities to confront the attitudes and behaviors that allow violence to persist and to act with urgency and solidarity.
“For the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, supporting the ‘Thursdays in Black’ Campaign is supporting what has become a global movement and advocacy programme preventing, responding and resisting attitudes that permit rape and violence,” she said.
“As the ministry mandated to lead policies and programmes, we also take the lead to support these initiatives that faith-based organisations like the World Council of Churches and civil society organisations observe religiously across the world.
“Our ministry supports this advocacy by wearing black every Thursday and call on our people to reflect and challenge ourselves each week to take action to prevent family violence from happening.”
Ms Kiran said gender-based violence was still widely tolerated and excused in Fijian society, often dismissed as a private matter.
“There are many aspects of patriarchy, there is miscommunication and most of all the tolerance for such behaviour — thinking that violence is between a family or a couple, shrugging it off as a private matter where people must not interfere. This perception must be challenged and done away with as lives of our women are at stake.
“We need zero tolerance in our villages, employers and in our families, we should not make excuses for violent behaviour and must hold accountable those who use violence. If we rise as a society towards zero tolerance it could make a big difference. We also need to fill service gaps to ensure reporting and safety of our women and girls.”
She said support must also extend to workplaces and homes.
“Let’s act to protect our women and girls, every action counts – create enabling environment for their growth, communicate with respect, provide opportunities for their growth whether in terms of education, employment, social and reproductive health rights.
“Every week let us take the time to reflect and act on making our homes and communities safer for our women and girls.”
