Fiji: Faith Leaders, Patriarchy and the Push to End Violence Against Women

Shamima Ali, Coordinator of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, has issued a critical warning regarding the ongoing battle to reduce violence against women and children. She emphasizes that persistent messages placing men as the unquestioned heads of households can jeopardize years of hard work aimed at promoting safety and gender equality.

Ali highlights the progress made in engaging churches and faith-based organizations, acknowledging that while some have developed strong partnerships with the Centre, deeply entrenched beliefs and the rise of religious fundamentalism pose significant challenges. She states, “Women of all religious faiths come to us, from all cultural backgrounds… there’s no, we cannot say this, nobody comes to us and things like that. But there’s also a certain fundamentalism that is coming in with the denominations and so on.”

Despite the positive steps taken by some denominations, conservative teachings that uphold male dominance can undermine efforts for gender equity. Ali stresses that collaboration between organizations is crucial and that this cooperation must include confronting harmful narratives.

Reverend Manasa Kolivuso, Senior Pastor of Faith Harvest Church, supports this perspective, insisting that men must be central to strategies addressing abuse. He argues that safeguarding women and children is a responsibility that men must take seriously, recognizing that abusive behaviors often stem from men’s actions. Kolivuso believes that engaging men in these discussions is vital, asserting that genuine change will occur when they confront their abusive behavior and take accountability.

Both Ali and Kolivuso concur that without directly addressing and challenging harmful attitudes and beliefs, the cycle of violence is unlikely to break, regardless of the years of advocacy and awareness initiatives that have been implemented. The commitment from both organizations and individuals is imperative for lasting change, and only through concerted efforts can society hope to create safer environments for women and children.