Nine women have been killed in domestic violence incidents so far this year – a toll the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) says confirms the country is still in a dangerously unsafe space for women and girls.
FWCC coordinator Shamima Ali said the centre also recorded growing numbers of survivors seeking help.
“It tells us the urgency of the issue,” Ms Ali said during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence march in Suva yesterday.
“Our numbers are increasing, and we are also looking at the drug issue, which is exacerbating the violence.
“Climate change is another factor and the general misogyny in society, especially on social media, is becoming very toxic.”
She said the greatest concern remained the ease with which perpetrators continued to offend.
“The main reason is the impunity with which perpetrators are committing violence on women, girls, and children.
“Policing is very, very poor and very bad. Women don’t get justice. Domestic violence sentencing is treated very trivially in our courts, whereas women die because we send them back into violent homes,” she said.
According to her, survivors continue to face gaps in protection and access to services.
“They need services, they need protection, they need a very good police force that is responsive towards them. Survivors need housing, and they need the Domestic Violence Act implemented in all its glory,” she said.
Despite the grim trends, Ms Ali said more people had joined the movement this year.
“We’re hoping many more people will get interested through the activities taking place. People will start respecting women’s human rights, and many more will want to join us,” she said.
She said the campaign aimed to push the nation into “action and implementation.”
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