Intimate partner violence against women remains a widespread human rights violation, public health and social problem as it seriously undermines women’s physical, mental and social well-being.
Our alarming statistics and daily news on violence against women speaks volumes.
We have a serious issue to deal with as a nation and racist comments such as those from Honorable Bulitavu will not help in any shape or form in addressing the persistency and frequency of violence against Fijian women.
What makes the statements made even more deplorable is that they are not supported by any data and they are coming from a national leader – a sitting Member of Parliament who has taken an Oath to serve every Fijian without fear or favour!
As a parliamentary member, Honorable Bulitavu knows too well he has a nation watching and listening to him.
Our youths and children are learning from him. Is that what he wants to teach those who look up to him for inspiration? It is extremely sad and disgraceful of a man of his standing to be so irresponsible in his comments towards the issue of violence against women. And we wonder why there is no end to this societal cancer.
This is exactly why! At first, a woman’s actions have been blamed for the violence perpetuated against her.
Hon. Bulitavu has broken new grounds – he is blaming a whole community. The sad thing is, Hon. Bulitavu doesn’t seem to know that he is in fact turning a blind eye to the problem – we just have to blame anyone but the perpetrator – to trivialize the issue of violence against women.
I join the Hon. Prime Minister in calling on every Fijian man and woman to stand up to and speak publicly against statements like those made by Hon. Bulitavu and to denounce violence against women for what it is, without shifting blame anywhere else but on the perpetrator.