Seven-year-old Jemima Diveki was caught by surprise when she was acknowledged by Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa for attending the launch of the Women Friendly Spaces.

Jemima, who is a Year Two student of Seaqaqa Primary School, was taken by surprise when the minister spoke of her.

The aspiring doctor was full of excitement and said that it was a great boost for the new school year.

Ms Vuniwaqa said it was important to include young girls in such events where they could spread the word to their peers that there is a safe place where they can freely express issues they may be facing.

“The Women Friendly Spaces (WFS) is a result of a lot of logistics, and planning, among all involved to fill a critical role in the context of the emergency response by providing a safe haven for women and young people to socialise and re-build their social networks; access safe and non-stigmatising Gender-Based Violence (GBV) support, including psychosocial, medical or other social support, and also to receive sexual and reproductive health services,” Ms Vuniwaqa said.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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