The Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Social Protection, Eseta Nadakuitavuki, officially opened a three-day Capacity Building Workshop for GEDSI Focal Officers from the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs and the iTaukei Affairs Board in Suva today (3.06.25).
In her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary acknowledged the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs as the lead agency for the Traditional Setting under the Fiji National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against All Women and Girls (Fiji NAP). She commended the iTaukei Affairs Board for its strong commitment in taking forward this transformative work.
“This is more than a workshop. It is a commitment to bringing life to a policy that will bring transformative change to our traditional communities,” said PS Nadakuitavuki.
The Fiji NAP is the first government policy to directly identify patriarchy and gender inequality as the root causes of violence against women and girls. Through this workshop, GEDSI focal officers are being equipped to take the work of prevention down to the vanua — building safer, more respectful communities from within.
Participants will engage in deep discussions and learning sessions focused on understanding gender, power, and social norms. The training also includes modules on human rights, gender-based violence, and the role of traditional institutions in prevention.
“Your role as GEDSI focal officers is crucial. You are champions of change, and the work you do in our provinces will help shape a future where our daughters, sisters and mothers can live free from fear.”
“I also take this time to acknowledge the strong partnership with our partners and stakeholders and the years of work in this area. I acknowledge the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, FWRM, House of Sarah and DIVA for Equality and the UNFPA and the lead agencies in Government that progress the implementation of the NAP. I also acknowledge with much appreciation the Government of Australia through DFAT and the Platform for their support on the implementation of the National Action Plan. Vinaka vakalevu,” the Permanent Secretary said.
The workshop is part of Fiji’s whole-of-government and whole-of-community approach to ending violence, with support from the Government of Australia through the Fiji Program Support Platform (FPSP). Fiji’s National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against All Women and Girls is not just a document — it is a movement. And change begins here.