A SHARP rise in violence against women, both at home and in public spaces, set a serious tone at the Markets for Change (M4C) 16 Days of Activism event at the Nausori market.
Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran expressed concern following the weekend’s death of a woman in a domestic violence incident.
She said such tragedies were painful reminders that far more needed to be done, urging communities to work together to end gender-based violence.
Addressing market vendors, Ms Kiran said markets were often the first places where signs of abuse could be spotted.
She warned that violence against women vendors was not limited to their homes.
She said women could face harsh criticism from customers, intimidation from other stallholders, and an increasing wave of online harassment, including negative or shaming posts from unhappy clients.
Digital scams targeting women who use mobile platforms for payments and orders were also becoming more common.
“Women’s safety is an economic issue,” Ms Kiran said.
“This year’s theme reminds us that threats against women don’t only occur in physical spaces.
“They follow women into their digital spaces, through messages, social media, and online harassment.”
Ms Kiran called on market managers, police, civil society and vendor groups to work together to create safer and more supportive environments for women vendors.
