The revelation that 72 per cent of Fijian women experienced physical, sexual or emotional abuse from a husband or partner in their lifetime is alarming.
Pacific Community (SPC) principal strategic lead Mereseini Rakuita highlighted this sobering statistic in her presentation at the 2025 Women in Media Conference at Suva’s Grand Pacific Hotel yesterday.
Quoting data from the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, she said the confronting statistics remain unchanged more than a decade on.
It was a powerful reminder for those at the conference about the vulnerabilities of women in Fiji, and the challenges they face.
It is a shocking reminder as well for us all about the status quo and draws us to the urgent need for action.
We agree that silence surrounding abuse enables it to thrive!
Among the grim numbers, we learn that 94 per cent of women were slapped or had something thrown at them, 68 per cent were punched or hit with an object, 60 per cent were shoved or had their hair pulled, and 44 per cent were kicked, dragged, or beaten.
We also learn that 20 per cent were threatened or attacked with a weapon, and 10 per cent were choked or burned.
Then there was the revelation that for 120 women surveyed, their first sexual experience was forced.
Male family members and teachers, according to Ms Rakuita, were often behind the violence, while sexual abuse typically involved relatives or family friends.
She noted the trend was that close family members were involved, and more cases were happening in isolated communities.
She referenced the Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu’s recent plea for community and religious leaders to speak out.
“I dare to propose that right here in this room are the real power brokers when it comes to breaking the culture of silence,” she said.
While it is a challenge for journalists to be engaged, and to report on these critical issues, we should all be reminded about our roles as potential instigators of change as well.
As the beautiful and emotional notes of the Isa Lei farewell song resounded across the Grand Pacific Hotel last night, bringing the conference to an end, there is hope that such stories and statistics are never dismissed.
The fight against gender-based violence in Fiji has to be dealt with!
If we are to move beyond the statistics, into a future that embraces real change, then we all must recognise our roles. Silence is complicity! Let’s speak up! We also take this opportunity to farewell our guests from around the region and wish them well on their journey back home.
