The death of a pregnant woman who was allegedly assaulted by her partner has sparked outrage from a women’s activist group.

The 23-year-old woman, identified as Seini Tagilala, died at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital on Sunday morning.

The alleged attack took place at Nasese, Suva, last Friday.

“We are quite shocked. Every year there are at least five women dying at the hands of the person they should be trusting,” Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) co-ordinator Shamima Ali said.

“This is a worrying trend because 25 women in the country have lost their lives at the hands of their partners in the past five years. That makes it an average of five deaths per year.

“The FWCC would also like to remind friends and family members in similar situations who don’t know what to do, to let the experts deal with the matter.

“I would like to say is that whenever people come across such matters they should call our toll-free line 1560. A life may be saved.”

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said the suspect, a 28-year-old farmer from Kadavu, remained in Police custody.

She also said the suspect was allegedly intoxicated at the time of the assault. A family member of the suspect said the woman allegedly fell and hurt herself.

Police are now waiting on the autopsy report to confirm the woman’s cause of death.

The suspect has yet to be charged.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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