Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre coordinator Shamima Ali has highlighted the lack of sufficient alternatives, such as affordable housing and welfare funds, for women escaping violent relationships. Ali noted that while civil society organizations and the government are making efforts and the National Action Plan is slowly being implemented, more support options are essential given that Fiji has one of the highest rates of domestic violence globally.
She remarked that the rollout of the National Development Plan is progressing gradually and acknowledged some positive aspects. However, the pace of implementation varies significantly depending on community cooperation. Ali stressed that there is a critical shortage of physical support for women in need, particularly in terms of alternative housing and financial assistance for those seeking to leave abusive situations.
Ali pointed out that existing shelters for domestic violence survivors are predominantly operated by civil society organizations, with an urgent need for more dedicated facilities. She called on the government and donor communities to enhance their support and not duplicate the efforts of civil society organizations, which often lack the necessary funding to provide affordable housing options.
Currently, the primary fallback for those in need includes programs like HART housing, Koroipita, and Public Rental Board Housing, which can be prohibitively expensive. To ensure the safety of these women, there are instances where their rent is supplemented.
Ali also mentioned potential funding sources from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, emphasizing that these resources should be utilized to create affordable housing solutions for women. She urged the government to sustain such initiatives. Furthermore, she called for improved policing in addressing violence against women and girls, highlighting a significant gap in this area.