MEN infected with HIV/AIDS are spreading the virus to their wives and partners, says Women, Children and Social Protection Minister Sashi Kiran.
“There is another form of violence unfolding,” she told Parliament yesterday.
“Seventy per cent of HIV/AIDS cases are men, largely through injectable drug use, and they spread the virus to their wives and partners and now we have increasing transmission from women to their newborn babies.”
Ms Kiran said harm to women and girls were no longer confined to physical spaces.
“It now crosses digital borders – amplified by technology, anonymity, speed, and reach.
“Women and girls face cyberbullying, non-consensual image sharing, digital stalking, hate speech and fake online content.
“These attacks silence women’s voices and erode confidence and leadership.”
She said the Government had taken decisive steps in recent years to strengthen prevention, protection, and coordinated action.
“The rollout of the National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against All Women and Girls (NAPVAWG) represented Fiji’s historic shift towards a unified, evidence-based prevention agenda.
“The service delivery protocol (SDP) is a key mechanism that ensures coordinated, survivor-centred response, strengthens accountability, and promotes consistent, high-quality services for women and girls.
“The protocol is currently being updated, following the June review process, with its finalisation scheduled at the validation workshop this week.”
Ms Kiran said they were investing in the capacity of frontline responders including police officers, healthcare workers, social service providers, and community advocates who play a vital role in ensuring safety, justice, and timely support for survivors.
