Fiji has one of the highest rates of violence against women and girls globally, as disclosed by the Ministry of Women during the Fiji National Action Plan (NAP) to Prevent Violence Against All Women and Girls 2023-2028 dialogue held yesterday at Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi. According to the ministry, nearly two-thirds of women in Fiji have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetimes, a situation deemed unacceptable and prompting calls for a robust national response.
The Fiji NAP is a critical element of this response, designed to tackle the underlying causes of violence and facilitate long-term positive changes throughout society. By engaging leaders from traditional bodies and institutions, the high-level dialogue aims to leverage the influence of these community figures to foster meaningful progress in preventing violence against women and girls.
The dialogue will work towards developing a shared understanding of the Fiji NAP, its key strategies, and its implementation, with a focus on the significant role of traditional leaders and institutions in this initiative. It will also delve into the reasons behind violence against women and girls in Fiji, aiding traditional leaders in recognizing its root causes and contributing factors.
Launched in June of last year, the National Action Plan is a pioneering initiative, being the first of its kind in the Oceania region and the second globally, following Australia. It takes a comprehensive, inclusive, and evidence-based approach to addressing violence against all women and girls (VAWG) in Fiji.