The Pacific’s fight against violence on women and girls is being strengthened as 42 participants from 12 island countries gather in Suva for a four-week regional training program.
The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) yesterday launched its 46th Regional Training Programme on Violence Against Women and Girls, Human Rights and Development.
Participants from Fiji, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Palau, Naoero (Nauru), Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa and Cook Islands represent 22 organisations, including government departments, women’s crisis centres and frontline service providers.
FWCC coordinator Shamima Ali said the program had grown significantly since its establishment in 1995.
“We have come a long way since the first Regional Training Programme in 1995, which started with just five participants from Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu,” she said.
“Today, we welcome an average of 40 participants to each edition of the training.”
Ali said the growing interest reflected a stronger regional commitment to addressing violence against women and girls.
