Navatukia village in the province of Naitasiri has become the latest addition to Fiji’s “Zero Tolerance Violence Campaign”.
Designed to encourage inclusiveness at all levels in a community to address violence against women and children, the campaign has been implemented in communities across the country.
The campaign was recently launched following the presentation of a certificate recognising the commitment of Navatukia villagers to eliminate violence against women and children. The Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni officiated at the event and commended villagers for supporting the campaign.
Dr Luveni congratulated the Navatukia village leaders and said that the implementation of thiscampaign would provide opportunities for people to work together with relevant stakeholders in promoting a violence free environment.
“When a woman develops, her family and community also progresses. The campaign will promote unity and peace in families, it will ensure there is equality between men and women in terms of decision making and sharing responsibilities.
“This government is working tirelessly in promoting the gender equality and the campaign aims to raise awareness on the need for stakeholders and communities to work hand in hand to eliminate violence. A gatekeepers committee comprising of village leaders, women and youths will be formed, that will work closely with Police and Ministry to facilitate awareness and training programs on addressing violence,” Minister Luveni said.
Navatukia village head Mr Sevanaia Nateilawa welcomed the campaign adding that it would challenge the men to relook at their role as husbands and fathers.
“We are grateful to Dr Jiko Luveni for being the first Minister to come right to our door step and talking to us about the need for equality between women and men. We are appreciative of the message she has imparted today, that women have the equal potential as that of the men to lead a society.
“Most of the men who were present at the meeting, when they heard the Minister’s speech on importance of women’s role, that really challenged them to look within themselves and embrace the truth that without women a society cannot progress. We hope that through this campaign the culture of silence and suffering will be a thing of the past,” Mr Nateilawa explained.
“There are 60 women in Navatukia who struggle daily to support their families, they are all domestic workers and market vendors. Our major challenge is that due to cultural barriers, women have limited opportunities to voice their concerns, when in fact we are the backbone of our families”.
There are 3 villages in Serea Soloira District, in Naitasiri province (Waikalou, Vunidawa and Navatukia) and all these villages have joined the violence free community campaign.
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