The Dreketi settlement in Saweni, Lautoka is the recent beneficiary of the government’s program to safeguard the interests and rights of women and children in Fiji.
In October last year, the community subscribed to the Zero Tolerance Violence Free Community Campaign. Following 10 months of awareness, the settlement has qualified to be declared as a violence free community.
To recognise the positive changes achieved as a result of the campaign, the Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni unveiled a billboard in front of the Dreketi Sangam Primary School in Lautoka this week.
Speaking at this event, Minister Luveni said the success of the campaign is in the hands of the communities that commits to it.
“To date there are 85 communities in Fiji that have joined this campaign of which 30 have successfully completed the 8 to 10 months of awareness programs and training. From the monitoring reports gathered by Fiji Police and that of the gatekeepers committee which are established in the declared communities, they have noted substantial reduction in the maltreatment of women, and this change is also accompanied by the significant reduction in the crime rates in these communities. In August this year, the Ministry has also organised a Women’s and Children’s summit for the gatekeepers committees from the declared communities,” Dr Luveni reiterated.
While speaking on behalf of Dreketi Women’s Club, their president, Mrs Leba Tavutu spoke on the changes experienced in the community.
“There are more than 200 people in this multicultural society that depends on sugarcane farming and fishing as the major source of income. Our women’s club was formed last year and it comprises of 60 Indian and iTaukei women who are mostly domestic workers. Today, I am delighted to speak about the various benefits of this campaign, the most important one being that women are now confident enough to speak about the challenges they face.
“A gatekeepers committee that comprises of women, including the men and youth representative has been formed and it works closely with the police to assist anyone who maybe facing a problem in their families. The women are now able to freely discuss about their problems in the weekly club meetings as they have trusted members in their communities who can be approached for any assistance they may need.
“This campaign has united the women from different races to work together in Dreketi settlement and for this we have to thank madam minister Dr Luveni for guiding us on this new pathway. It is through her motivation, the women have learnt to speak out against any injustice and violence committed against our sisters. As women’s leader, Dr Luveni’s courage to lead the violence free initiative has inspired us to be always confident in making a positive change in our community,” Mrs Tavutu explained.
Expressing similar sentiments, Vuda district Advisory Councillor Mr Nathu Mani said that awareness programs have become “an eye opener for Fijians living in the Dreketi settlement”.
“The presentations by Police have provided information on the laws that protect women and children, particularly on the Domestic Violence Decree and the Child Welfare Decree and the need for people to effectively use these laws to protect their rights. During the awareness, we were also informed that domestic violence, be it verbal or physical abuse is a serious crime and it should be reported-there is no drop policy on such cases,” Mr Mani said.
The Seniyaya settlement in Lovu, Lautoka was also declared as violence free community on Thursday this week along with the Vanuakula settlement in Drasa who signed up for 10 months awareness programs facilitated through the Zero Tolerance Violence Free Campaign.
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