Technology-driven gender-based violence continues to be a significant issue for Pacific island nations, according to Minister for Women Lynda Tabuya. She expressed these concerns during a graduation ceremony for 42 participants who completed the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre’s (FWCC) 44th regional training program focused on gender, violence against women and girls, human rights, and development.
The four-week training program, which started on July 29, culminated in a graduation ceremony held on Thursday in Suva. In her address, Minister Tabuya acknowledged the progress made in safeguarding Pacific women and children from gender-based violence but emphasized that there is still more work ahead. She highlighted Fiji’s implementation of its inaugural National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls (2021-2026) as a crucial step in this effort.
Tabuya noted that these advancements were made possible through the support of civil society organizations. She remarked, “We finally recognize patriarchy as the root cause of gender-based violence and gender inequality.” Furthermore, she pointed out the concerning underrepresentation of Pacific women in political spheres and praised Kiribati for electing five women to their Parliament.
Throughout the training, participants engaged in learning about various violence-related topics, including rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment, child abuse, and human rights laws. The program also covered the impacts of media, climate change, online violence, reproductive rights, and pornography on violence against women and girls.
FWCC coordinator Shamima Ali expressed optimism about the growing number of individuals eager to participate in trainings aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls. She highlighted that the program, initiated in 1995, has produced numerous success stories from communities and countries where participants have returned to drive positive change.
This year’s participants hailed from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Samoa, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, West Papua, and Nauru.