The Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports Allison Burchell has hailed a training for youths on human rights as one with would break the cycle of violence.

The Human Rights and Gender Based Violence against Women and Children is a training for youths with strategic intervention by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, with the help of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre.

Ms Burchell said while opening the training at Semo Village in Nadrogaon Tuesday: “Over 60 per cent of women in the Pacific have been beaten by a spouse,” said Ms Burchell.

“The 2013 Constitution ushered in a new era – an era of equality where men and women are equal.

“We need a living constitution where it is real in our everyday lives, where we all understand our rights and our obligations

“We need to respect each other and if there is real respect, no-one will beat a woman or child or vulnerable person,” said Ms Burchell.

“Part of this workshop will be about respect, about understanding and about dealing with difficult issues which will make you feel uncomfortable as it will challenge you and your perceptions and stereotypes.”

She said men and women need to come together to address violence in our communities.

“Children need the positive influence of both parents to ensure that values, morals and ethics are instilled in children at a young age.”

Youth administrator Nadroga/Navosa Mr Kiniviliame Naba said: “We had only invited 15 participants, however, we have registered 163 participants.”

“The increase in number of participants is a positive sign for us since we are targeting rural, villages in the whole of Nadroga and Navosa,” said Mr Naba.

“The onus now is for youths to ensure that they are agents of change and help break the cycle of violence in their communities.”

The training is the third conducted in partnership between the Youth Ministry and the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre.

Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Iliesa Delana will close the training tomorrow.

Source: Ministry of Youth and Sports

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