The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) is calling for greater clarity over the Government’s proposed Men’s Helpline, warning that it must not be positioned as equivalent to crisis services established to respond to violence against women.
The concern follows the allocation of funding in the 2026-2027 National Budget for scoping work towards establishing a Men’s Helpline.
FWCC says it is important to recognise that Fiji does not have a dedicated women’s helpline, but rather a domestic violence crisis response service created in response to the country’s high rates of violence against women and girls.
The Centre says national research shows that 64 percent of women in Fiji have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime.
FWCC says, “These services were established in response to that reality, not because violence is experienced equally by men and women, but because it is not.”
While supporting initiatives that assist men, the Centre says the purpose of the proposed helpline must be clearly defined.
“If the intention is to provide support for men’s mental health, emotional wellbeing, parenting or relationship challenges, then this should be clearly and transparently stated.”
However, FWCC warns that presenting such a service as equivalent to domestic violence crisis services could undermine understanding of gender-based violence.
“If such a service is framed as equivalent to crisis services established to respond to violence against women, it risks creating a false equivalence.”
The Centre says violence against women is rooted in gender inequality, unequal power relations and harmful social norms, and requires specialised responses.
FWCC also highlighted its long-running Male Advocacy for Women’s Human Rights Programme, which works with men and boys to promote respectful relationships and prevent violence.
The organisation says engaging men remains essential, but must be evidence-based and focused on addressing the root causes of violence against women and girls.
FWCC says it would have welcomed consultation on the initiative and hopes to be meaningfully involved as the Government undertakes the scoping process.
The Centre adds that while it supports programmes that genuinely assist men, “these must complement, not confuse, or dilute, the national response to violence against women and girls,” stressing that all investments should be guided by evidence, coordination and a clear understanding of the gendered nature of violence in Fiji.
