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Illustration of Minister commends awareness initiative

Healing Generations: The Push for Trauma Awareness in Fiji

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Assistant Minister for Women Sashi Kiran expressed optimism that the Truth and Reconciliation Bill will be presented in Parliament during the December session. This announcement coincides with the St Agnes Parish in Nabua, which has initiated trauma awareness workshops under the leadership of Father Ioane Sigarara.

During a church service, Ms. Kiran praised Father Sigarara for spearheading this project aimed at fostering dialogue and facilitating healing within the community. She acknowledged the presence of deep-rooted emotions and pain, emphasizing the necessity of raising awareness about trauma and its effects, particularly concerning post-traumatic stress.

“It’s evident that trauma has been passed down through generations, making it crucial for us to address this,” Ms. Kiran noted. She expressed hope that as other areas of the country join this movement, more individuals and institutions will engage in these difficult but needed conversations.

Father Sigarara highlighted that many parishioners possess direct experiences from the 1987 coup, a historical event around which there has been little opportunity for open discussion about the resulting pain and trauma. “It feels like a burden that prevents us from progressing,” he stated.

The objective of these workshops is to provide a safe and structured environment where participants can share their experiences, connect with other survivors, and embark on a collective healing journey. The first cluster of 30 participants is set to begin these trauma awareness workshops next week, reflecting a positive step toward community recovery.

This initiative reinforces the idea that addressing historical trauma is essential for communal healing and moving forward, creating a hopeful pathway for those affected and fostering resilience within the community.


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