The Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, has stressed the significance of his Government’s efforts to modernise Fiji’s laws to provide greater justice for women.
Speaking at the opening of the 14th annual Attorney-Generals conference at Natadola, he said the Government wanted to end the entrenched privilege of men in Fiji who resist equal rights for women.
The Prime Minister cited a raft of laws that his Government has introduced to promote and protect women’s rights.
“We have ensured gender equality through new laws. For example, the removal of archaic rules requiring corroboration in rape trials; recognising the property rights of those living in “de facto” relationships; stopping the marriage of our female children; and the introduction of a new legal regime that addresses the abhorrent practice of domestic violence”, he said.
The Prime Minister said the Government’s Domestic Violence Decree had given women greater protection from domestic violence. “The law clarifies the responsibilities of the police and allows for restraining orders and other measures to protect women from abusive partners.”
The Prime Minister told the conference violence against women not only had an impact on the victim and her family, including children. “It also has wider implications. For example, if a woman has been subjected to physical violence in her home, she cannot be expected to come into work the next day and contribute productively”, he said.
The Prime Minister noted the views of some critics who have argued recently that increased reports of domestic violence demonstrate a failure on the part of authorities to protect women. “I would contend that (these) reports could have increased because now more women are reporting abuse because they feel protected and supported by the new laws”, he said.
Speaking afterwards, the Prime Minister said improving the lot of women was one of the Government’s key priorities. “ We all need to accept that women in Fiji play just as important a role as men in national life and the country’s development. But it’s not enough just to change the law. We also need to change our attitudes and our values to empower women”, he said.
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