The Navesi settlement in Nadonumai, Suva was recently declared “a violence free community” following months of awareness programs.
Last week the Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni unveiled a billboard marking the the completion of 11 months of awareness programs aimed at reducing gender discrimination and violence in Nadonumai.
Nadonumai is the 90th community in Fiji to join the Zero Tolerance Violence Free Community Campaign (ZTVFC) and undergo 10 preparatory phases to champion the protection of women and children. A gatekeepers committee that is made up of Fiji Police, social welfare officers, male leaders, church leaders, women and youth leaders have teamed up to address the root causes of violence and put in appropriate measures to curb all forms of violence and abuse.
Minister Luveni said that the positive results received are largely through increased awareness and advocacy programs on the elimination of violence.
“The Ministry and Fiji Police in partnership with Non-Government Organisation (NGO’s) facilitate awareness programs which focuses on positive parenting, child protection, anger and stress management, Domestic Violence Decree, Child Welfare Decree, Gender Based Violence, women’s reproductive health to name a few. The campaign provides information so that a community can make informed decisions, particularly the police reports shows a decrease in maltreatment of women and also a reduction in crime rates.
“Likewise the Ministry also provides the women’s groups with some form of income generating programs so that they can also alleviate poverty. The women are encouraged to fully use their talents to be financially independent and likewise the community provides respect to the women, helping them to become more resourceful and confident of their role as agents of change in their communities,” Minister Luveni said.
Mrs Ulamila Sereivalu, Officer in charge of the Delainavesi Police Post said that the campaign has been well received by the community of Nadonumai.
“It unites the community to work with the police, this integrated approach to implement this campaign is very effective. Nadonumai has been known for its notorious activities and before it was very difficult to approach the Navesi youths, but now this has begun to change. The youths have realized their role, thereby maintaining the law and order in the community. People are not taking these issues lightly, we have seen women coming up to report cases, which shows that they are well aware about the reporting procedures. We hope to spread this campaign out to all other 10 settlements in Delainavesi,” Mrs Sereivalu said.
Similarly, Mr Jone Raco, community chief for Delainavesi settlements said that this campaign has been an eye opener for the male folks.
“Before, Nadonumai was regarded as the red zone area for Lami police but now through this campaign, there is a decrease in criminal activities. The men have attended 7 workshops with the women with great emphasis of that training focusing on gender equality, it has changed their mindset particularly to provide equal opportunities for women to participate into decision making.
“The traditional mentality that women are just meant for kitchen, have been challenged, men have realized the importance of women’s economic participation, and thus the men and women will work together to start a new bakery project. We are grateful to the Ministry of Women for bringing this campaign to us that cultivates the values of respect, genuine care and honesty as key pillars for building a progressive society,” Mr Raco added.
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