Government services and legislation provided to stop domestic violence are being offered at the edge of a cliff, says Minister for Women and Children Sashi Kiran.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday about the recent deaths of two women to domestic violence, Ms Kiran said there was no excuse for inaction when the State was doing its part to protect women and children from avoidable violence.
Highlighting action taken by various government agencies, civil society, religious and traditional leaders through the Great Council of Chiefs, the minister said it was time for attitudinal change.
“The Government has put legislation in place and funds social protection and counselling services through NGOs,” Ms Kiran said.
“There are 24/7 national toll-free lines 1560 and 1325. We have a service delivery protocol for responding to gender-based violence.
“Police, judiciary, health professionals and social services have standard operating procedures for interagency response.
“The service protocols are under review to include additional stakeholders as well.
“But these services are provided at the end of the cliff.
“When the violence has scarred lives already. We need to change attitudes around domestic violence and break down patriarchal structures around our society.”
Ms Kiran also pointed out the ‘Thursdays in Black Campaign’ which raised awareness and protest against violence and abuse against women and children.
“Let’s do more than wear black every Thursday, let’s work on changing attitudes and practices that enable family violence.
“We as a nation have to commit to zero tolerance for all forms of violence and I appeal to this House, to faith-based leaders, to employers, to family elders to open these conversations and commit to zero tolerance to violence in our homes and communities.
“We have it within our powers to halt this malaise from growing if we commit to taking action.
“For those women who may be in abusive relationships, help is available through our toll-free lines 1560 and 1325 that are government-funded helplines and managed by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and Medical Services Pacific respectively.”
