Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran has raised concerns over findings from the Social Cohesion and Reconciliation Index (SCORE) Assessment showing high levels of acceptance of violence against women and girls among young men.
She made her concerns known to members of youth organisations and networks in Suva yesterday. The SCORE Assessment is a research project conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Fiji National University (FNU), and facilitated by the Centre for Sustainable Peace and Democratic Development (SeeD).
Ms Kiran said the findings highlighted troubling attitudes towards gender norms and violence.
“The data shows that a significant proportion of respondents, including young men continue to accept beliefs that normalise control and violence against women and girls,” Ms Kiran said.
She said more than half of respondents agreed with statements supporting male dominance in households, while many justified violence as a disciplinary measure.
“Young men show concerning levels of normalisation of violence against women and girls. That is 70 per cent.”
Ms Kiran described the statistics as a warning and urged young people to reflect on why such attitudes persisted.
“This is not just statistics. It is a warning, and a responsibility.
“If we are serious about development, reconciliation, and dignity, then we must be clear: there can be no peaceful future while violence is tolerated in our homes, schools and communities.”
She said young people had a key role in challenging harmful gender norms and promoting inclusion and non-violence.
Ms Kiran also encouraged greater youth participation in civic engagement, leadership and community action to help build a more equal and peaceful Fiji.
