Discussions for more women’s shelters in the northern and central division were still in the early stages. The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Rosy Akbar confirmed this after the opening of the Masculinity, Gender and Non-Violence Training for Men and Boys at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi on Monday.

“That’s something we have to plan for because we have one now in the western division and because of the need, of course that will come with a budget allocation so we have to put the proposal forward for that,” she said

“Eastern (division), we not sure about that, but we are going to outsource it, the tenders are nearing completion.”

She thanked non-government organisations that were currently working at finding a shelter for women and said the existing domestic violence victims safe home in Lautoka was a temporary solution for women who needed a place to stay overnight to take shelter from abusive spouses.

Training session

The training session on Monday included male representatives from the Fiji Police Force and community organisations. It was organised by Transcend Oceania supported by Bread for the World, the Social Justice Arm of the Protestant Church in Germany.

“The various factors that lead to domestic violence we want to know it, what is it that triggers men to lash out, not only lash out, but to cause pain and violence and injury and death and in the very home setting where you have vowed to protect your own women, your own girls and your own children,” Ms Akbar said.

She said men could be proud of their masculinity but should not abuse it.

“Whether its toxic masculinity or whether it’s just masculinity, it’s a very serious issue because it’s all about the mind-set that the society has about men, the mind-set that even men have about themselves,” she said.

Transcend Oceania Director Adi Vasulevu Merewalesi Levu said the training was the first for the western division, aimed at educating men on behavioural problems.

Report abuse, Minister urges male domestic abuse victims

Ms Akbar said men were welcome to access the Ministry’s counselling services and they would not face discrimination as any abuse or violence case should be reported.

This was in response to a question Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish representative John Ho asked during the question-and-answer session of the training.

Mr Ho said a recent case was brought to his attention where a male domestic violence victim had bought his family home but lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic and was now facing abuse from his partner.

“Men are free to report and money, honestly speaking money should not be a major factor in a relationship,” Ms Akbar said.

“It goes both ways if the man is earning or if a woman is earning it doesn’t matter if they have decided to be in a relationship, they should be sharing they should be caring, there should be respect for each other.”

The weeklong training concludes on Friday and includes 35 men from the ages of 17 to 40 representing the western division. Men or women facing domestic violence may contact the toll-free Domestic Violence Helpline at 1560