The Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation has taken a full force approach with the proper implementation of the Zero Tolerance Violence Free Community (ZTFVC) as a strategy to create violence free communities at the grassroots level.
Endorsed by Cabinet in 2008, the ZTVFC is one of the innovative programs that has successfully led to the declaration of Koroipita, Namuaimada village in Ra, Vatutavui Village in Tavua and Vunivesi village in Savusavu as Zero Tolerance Violence Free Communities in Fiji.
As the Ministry prepares this week to award certificates of ZTVFC commitment to 11 communities for declaration next year, Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni revealed that these communities are given two years to establish proper structures before being declared a violence free community.
“Vunivesi is the third community declared violence free and you will understand that violence against women and children is a behavioral problem. That is why communities are given two years to prepare by having structures in place that will ensure sustainability in this project before they are declared as ZTVFC.
“Commitment of certificates will only be awarded to the communities if appropriate structures are in place. For instance, having a community committee made up of church leaders, the traditional leaders, the women’s and youth group leaders along with the Fiji Police Force and the Ministry of Women as committee members to be the gatekeepers of violence in that particular community. It also includes creating awareness and counseling on anger management and proper upbringing of children,” Dr Luveni said.
She said from the evaluations conducted on ZTVFC, some gaps have been identified and the ministry will address this.
“Based on the evaluations, we have identified some gaps, one of which is sustainability of this initiative and monitoring of this program,” Dr Luveni said.
Dr Luveni said the program has led to a decrease in the number of domestic violence cases and has also enabled increased awareness on violence free communities.
“Statistics show that there is a marked improvement in the commitment of violence free community. It is not only the effort by the ministry but it is also the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs that has circulated the village bylaws that portray that violence against women and children will not be tolerated,” Dr Luveni said.
Meanwhile, Dr Luveni will be travelling to the Western and Central Eastern Division this week to provide commitment certificates to the 11 communities that are taking ownership of the Zero Tolerance Violence Free Community Program.