The Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni is calling on communities to join hands in eliminating all forms violence against women and children by supporting the Zero Tolerance Violence Free Community (ZTVFC) campaign.
While officially launching the ZTVFC campaign at Lepanoni settlement in Deuba yesterday, Dr Luveni called on community leaders, women and youth leaders to be aware and actively participate in this campaign.
“In line with the existing Domestic Violence Decree, and our national commitment to zero tolerance of violence against women, in 2011 a total of 15 local communities were declared zero tolerance violence free communities, and the aim is to increase this number by 15 communities annually,” she said.
“The campaign calls for the set-up of a gate keeper’s committee made up of community leaders including women, youth and the local police that form community police teams with provisions of relevant training including anger management, are conducted during the year.”
Dr Luveni said this year 15 more communities would join the ZTVFC campaign.
“As highlighted in the evaluation reports, community support is the key pillar for success of the zero tolerance violence free community campaign. A strong community support sets the platform for communities to work together with the police and relevant agencies in addressing the issues of violence,” she said.
One of the significant impacts of the ZTVFC campaign is continued dialogue between police and communities, which has seen an increase in the reporting of violence and abuse cases.
“While our target is 15 communities per year, we would like to have wide coverage of this program in years to come. Through this campaign people are also educated on the rights of women, Domestic Violence Decree and Child Welfare Decree,” Dr Luveni said.
“The gate keeping committee has representatives from churches, vanua, women, youths, police, commissioner’s office, provincial councils and the ministry, so this strengthens the network for accessing the information and resources needed to drive this campaign.”
Some of the communities to join ZTVFC this year are : Naivuvuni Village in Ra, Nabila, Vitogo, Rabulu Village and Natawarau Settlement in Ba, Volivoli Village in Nadroga, Kiuva and Veinuqa Village in Tailevu, Nadonumai in Rewa, Waikalou in Naitasiri, Nawailevu in Bua, Savudrodro in Cakaudrove, Natua in Macuata, Draiba village in Levuka and Tubou Village in Lakeba, Lau.