Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran is calling for collective action as the nation prepares to observe the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which begins on November 25.
This year’s localised theme, “Support the survivor, report the abuse, and end impunity online and offline!”, is a reminder of the urgency of the issue before us.
This is the second year Fiji has adopted its own theme for the campaign, an effort that reflects a deeper commitment to addressing the realities of gender-based violence within our communities. And those realities, as Ms Kiran emphasised, are alarming.
Two in three women in Fiji have experienced physical and or sexual violence from a male intimate partner in their lifetime, one of the highest recorded rates globally. These aren’t just numbers; they are lives. They represent women and girls who have suffered in silence, families impacted by trauma, and communities grappling with the consequences of violence.
Ms Kiran reminds us that a whole-of-government and whole-of-population approach is essential. “This theme is not just a slogan; it is a direct plea to every Fijian, every community, and every institution to activate their role,” she said. Supporting survivors, encouraging reporting, and ensuring perpetrators face real consequences, whether the abuse happens in person or online, must become shared responsibilities.
This year’s localised theme also reinforces the Government’s core mission: building a Fiji where every woman and girl is safe, valued, empowered, and free from violence. The global campaign, running from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day, is one of the most significant awareness movements worldwide. It is a period dedicated to mobilising communities, demanding accountability, and deepening public understanding of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection has urged all sectors, from faith-based organisations and traditional leaders to workplaces, media outlets, and sporting bodies, to integrate this theme into their everyday activities. We all have a stake in this fight. We all have a role to play.
The campaign challenges us to reflect on where we stand and what more needs to be done. It offers a chance to critically examine how we address the issues affecting women and girls, and how we can improve systems meant to protect them. Every year, The Fiji Times joins this global movement, using our platform to raise awareness, stimulate discussions, and encourage action. We will continue to do so, not only during these 16 days, but throughout the year.
The statistics in the public domain on violence, sexual abuse, and harassment are disturbing and unacceptable. They paint a picture that cannot be normalised or ignored. And while awareness is essential, it must be matched with willingness to acknowledge the problem, willingness to report abuse, willingness to support survivors, and willingness to challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours.
But, we say, real change cannot be confined to a 16-day window. The activism, the commitment, and the courage required must extend beyond December 10. If we are to protect our women and girls, we must choose to live the campaign’s message every day!
