FIJI Women’s Crisis Centre coordinator Shamima Ali says people cannot be bystanders anymore when witnessing violence against women.
Speaking to The Fiji Times this week, Ms Ali said intervention was needed, especially in family households because violence could ruin lives.
“We cannot be bystanders anymore,” Ms Ali said.
“We must have intervention because this is a crime that is being committed.
“So, instead of sharing what you read about somebody on social media that is detrimental to that person, and laughing about it, please let’s be humane.
“If you know anyone who’s getting beaten up in your household, please intervene.
“You play such an important part in stopping this terrible thing because it ruins lives, it breaks up families, and it’s not good for the nation.”
Ms Ali said men were also victims of abuse from women and they’ve contacted the centre for help.
“It’s quite minimal, and throughout the world, data shows that because of patriarchy, most of the violence is against women, girls and children and people of the LBTQ+ community, as well as those with disabilities,” she said.
“That is why we say men’s violence against women because of that patriarchal system.
“We’re not saying that men don’t suffer, there are many good men around who do not hit people.
“But if there is no sexual or physical violence, there is a lot of cohesive control over their women as well.”
Ms Ali said that during COVID, many men went through emotional turmoil.
“They were suicidal because they lost their jobs, facing financial issues, and there were good men who took it out on their wives.
“We had a 300 per cent increase in reporting during that time.
“So, we had set up with our male advocates, we trained them, set up another line for men and so we did referrals to that for them as well.”
Ms Ali said the centre had received complaints of “men getting beaten up too.
“The health ministry says that so many women have been beaten during pregnancy and end up in ICU, this shows in their data,” she said.
“We do have women who will talk back, who can be nasty too, we are not saints, but the power that patriarchy has does not allow women to do that and get away with it.”
