A moment of silence and lighting of the candle was observed to commemorate those who have lost their lives to violence.

This took place at Nakorolevu Village in Namara, Tailevu yesterday during the 16-day activism programme launch with aims to end gender-based violence against women and girls.

The event was organised by the Medical Services Pacific (MSP) and funded by the UN Women with the theme ‘Orange the World of Elimination against Women and Girls Now’.

Testimony

Tavaita Salavou was in tears when she shared her experience of how she was treated by her husband during their 30-years of marriage.

“I got punched, kicked and verbally abused by my husband. This doesn’t only happen to me, but to my children as well,” Ms Salavou said.

The mother-of-eight children said despite what she encountered, she needed to be strong to forge ahead in life, especially when considering her traditional background.

Her silence holding her emotions to keep family together and not sharing to anyone has prompted her to take part at the MSP programme.

“This programme has enlightened me and what I have encountered personally,” she said.

Ms Salavou was also thankful that she is serving a living God “who has been with me and my family during our times of struggle”.

Namara District Representative

Namara District representative, Sekaia Muaduaduakibau, said more awareness was needed.

“All men must respect their wives and children,” he said.

“Today, I’m afraid to see women being beaten by their husbands and children being beaten by their parents because this is against the law.

“Women and children need to report such incidents they face in their daily lives.

“Violence against women and children must be stopped.”

Medical Services Pacific

MSP protection officer/legal Miliakere Tuidrola said they were touched with the support they got from the community.

“This is the first launch to be held in the community and we are so thankful to the district of Namara for allowing us to launch the programme here,” she said.

In the West

To mark the 16 days, members of the Soroptimist International Club of Lautoka launched its purple bench project at Lautoka Andhra Sangam Primary School (LASPS).

Club president, Zareena Bi, said the significance of the project was one way of helping spread awareness while displaying the national domestic helpline number, 1560 and the child helpline number, 1325.

Ms Bi said they targeted LASPS first because the school catered for a large number of students.

She said the initiative was one way of assisting students, parents and teachers including visitors to the school’s premises to reach out for help.

Ms Bi added the club would continue similar projects in other schools around the country.

School manager and general secretary of the Dakshina India Andhra Sangam (DIAS) of Fiji, Uday Raju said he was amazed at the work done by women of the group benefitting the communities around the school.

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