WORDS spoken during traditional iTaukei wedding ceremonies may be enabling domestic violence by handing control of women to their husband’s family, a new study suggests.
Researcher Avelina Rokoduru, a Doctor of Philosophy candidate in Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies at the University of Otago, says that nuptial speeches such as “she is now your daughter” formalise a transfer of responsibility that can legitimise violence when women are seen to “fail” in their new roles.
“These words are license to inflict violence for perceived errors… as discipline or reprimand,” she wrote in her report, Masculinities and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Fiji: The Perceptions of iTaukei (Indigenous Fijian) Men.
Ms Rokoduru, who is based at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, interviewed 31 iTaukei men as part of her research. She found such statements at tataunaki ceremonies reinforced expectations of obedience and perpetual scrutiny for wives.
“The framings invite perpetual censorship of the wife’s actions and demeanour,” she wrote.
“These constructions have led to socialisation and conditioning… towards hierarchical intimate partner relationships which can lead to ‘merited’ violence.”
One focus group participant explained: “We have women who work, and their husbands stay home… Some women earn higher than their husbands. All these create difficulties… what follows are arguments and beatings.”
Ms Rokoduru also sees opportunities for change.
“Change in language in traditional oral presentations can alter those framings,” she said.
