About 70 per cent of young men in Fiji hold attitudes that normalise or justify violence against women in some circumstances, according to the Social Cohesion and Reconciliation (SCORE) Index Assessment tabled in Parliament yesterday.
Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran provided an update on the assessment saying it provides vital insights into the state of Fiji’s social fabric, with direct implications for our governance, social development strategies, cohesion, and national Fiji is a diverse, resilient, and deeply interconnected society.
The assessment found that while support for women’s leadership is growing in some groups, harmful attitudes remain deeply rooted among young men.
It showed that 31 per cent believe women who speak openly about abuse by their husbands should be shamed, while 22 per cent believe women should tolerate violence to preserve family unity.
The SCORE Index, developed through a partnership involving the United Nations, UNDP, the Centre for Sustainable Peace and Democratic Development, and the Fiji National University, measures public perceptions on trust, inclusion, governance, and social relations across Fiji.
“The assessment sought to provide a rigorous, evidence-based understanding of how people across Fiji experience and perceive trust, inclusion, service delivery, human rights, and national identity,” she said.
Ms Kiran said despite the concerns, the report also highlighted encouraging trends in gender equality.
Support for women’s political leadership is particularly strong among young women, rural communities, and educated respondents, with some provinces recording over 85 per cent approval.
She said the findings should guide urgent policy responses, especially in addressing harmful social norms and strengthening education and awareness among young people.
She stressed that social cohesion must be treated as a national priority across all sectors.
“If the assessment has shown us anything it is that Fiji’s diversity is not a weakness.
“It is our strength.
Our challenge is to ensure that every citizen feels seen, heard, and valued within the national story.”
She said Government would use the findings to strengthen inclusive governance, improve participation, and support long-term efforts to build a more cohesive and equitable society in Fiji.
