Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) co-ordinator Shamima Ali has labelled Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga as “irresponsible’ concerning his statement regarding divorce being “encouraged in today’s society”.
Mr Turaga spoke at the Lomaiviti Province iYaubula Day celebrations last week and stated that divorce is a “social issue that people no longer shy away from” and is encouraged in today’s society which leads to broken families, landing children on the streets and engaged in illegal activities.
Responding to his statement, Ms Ali said Mr Turaga was a keeper of the law, but was blaming everything on divorce being encouraged by today’s society.
“This country has one of the highest rates of violence against women and intimate partner violence,” Ms Ali said.
“In the past 10 years over 54 women died at the hands of their husbands and partners and loved ones who they live with because it is difficult to leave.
“When those divorces happen, everyone can exercise their right.
“If they want to run away from a violent situation, it is their right to do so.
“So by saying that, it’s really dangerous for the minister to say that and women will take it upon themselves that they are to be blamed for the divorces and so on if they decide to leave. They will remain in those horrible relationships. Perhaps the minister doesn’t know what women go through, maybe he needs to come and visit the crisis centre and find out exactly what women go through.”
She said political leaders should address the issue of family violence and not blame divorce for family breakups.
“Over and over again, we hear our leaders talking about women’s rights, about women’s place and about women participating in economic activity, in leadership, and so on.
“Their mouth says something else, but their actions are very, very different.
“So we encourage our leaders to please, when you open your mouths, say something sensible, something based on evidence.
“I implore the minister to find out more about violence against women, the causes of divorces from his own courts, and then let’s look at solutions.”
