YESTERDAY was a special day for women around the world. It was International Women’s Day. Yesterday was about commemorating the struggle for women’s rights.
This was first held in 1909 in New York. Over the years we have seen hundreds of people march to reclaim the night in Suva, commemorating the day.
On this special day, back in 2018, FWRM executive director Nalini Singh said sexual violence was everybody’s business and change could only begin by education and raising awareness.
She spoke during a creative art performance organised by the FWRM to commemorate International Women’s Day at the University of the South Pacific’s Laucala Bay complex in Suva.
Fijians, she said at the time, should recognise the deeply-entrenched patriarchy in our cultures and religion and the systematic barriers women and girls faced.
Sexual violence was a grave, cruel and severe breach of human rights that left long-term psychological and physical damage. Women must not accept violence.
During celebrations in 2017, the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, said it was time to appreciate women’s contribution to society.
Domestic violence in Fiji, he said at the time, was too common. He urged men to join in the national campaign of ending violence against women and children.
Yesterday, Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre co-ordinator Shamima Ali spoke about leadership and elections. Ms Ali said it was important that women stood up and have their voices heard.
A woman’s place, she said, was everywhere. “All of us (women) don’t need to be in Parliament, some of us can make noise from outside; in our homes, our communities, our religious communities and everywhere that we pass,” she insisted.
She said it was important that women demand their place at the table, and demand their rights.
Let us remind ourselves about the many niggling issues that we must address.
But why should we even confine the recognition and celebration of the achievement of women to this day? Why can’t do this every day?
Let’s acknowledge the role of women in our lives.
Let’s embrace and highlight their achievements, and focus on ways to assist them reach their goals.
Let’s pull back all stops and assist our women realise their dreams. They each have hopes and aspirations.
Let us endeavour to empower our women. Abuse cases and domestic violence are real. Let’s fight it.
If there is a plethora of advice, and support for the cause of our women, then this has to be buoyed by our commitment.
Our women have a right to be heard. How we move forward to address worrying issues is up to us.
Respect and acknowledgment of the important roles our women play in our lives must sit on a very high pedestal.
