The Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya, has announced that her ministry is collaborating with faith leaders and faith-based organizations to launch a communication campaign aimed at combating violence against women and girls during the 16 Days of Activism. This initiative seeks to enhance community awareness and promote behavioral change, emphasizing the importance of respectful relationships.
In her remarks to Parliament, Ms. Tabuya recognized the impactful video “My Faith Says No to Rape,” produced by the House of Sarah, led by Rev. Sereima Lomaloma. She highlighted the significance of collective advocacy, which involves partnerships among faith leaders, the ministry, SPC, Pacific Women Lead, and Australian Aid, to address the critical issue of violence against women and girls in Fiji.
Additionally, in alignment with the campaign, a forum targeting young women aged 18 to 25 will be held with support from UNFPA. This forum aims to gather young people’s insights regarding how gender-based violence affects their lives in both offline and online settings. Participants will discuss the challenges they face, particularly concerning technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), and share perspectives on necessary protections and responses.
Ms. Tabuya emphasized that the findings from this forum will play a crucial role in shaping policy discussions and legislative reviews, ensuring that the voices of young people are heard in decision-making processes. The initiative focuses on establishing effective prevention and response mechanisms, as well as adequate resource allocation to combat issues of TFGBV.
This proactive approach not only highlights the importance of community engagement but also reflects a commitment to fostering a safer environment for women and girls in Fiji, paving the way for a society where they can thrive free from violence.
Overall, this campaign represents a hopeful stride toward gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls within the community, proving that collaborative efforts can lead to significant changes over time.
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