Two more villages in the district of Tavua were declared as violence free communities this week.
The villages of Nadalei and Waikubukubu in the interior of Tavua were today announced as the first two villages in the western division to join the 60 other communities that have been declared as violence-free communities.
Under the guidance of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation in collaboration with the Fiji Police Force, these villages have vowed not to record any form of violence against women and children.
“This declaration is not just something to show the rest of the country but something to be proud of and the hard work begins here to ensure that criminal activities are truly eliminated from today,” said the Ministry’s permanent secretary Dr Josefa Koroivueta.
“You have been training for the past two months and I am sure that it has equipped you with the necessary knowledge to assist you with your assertion.”
As part of the program, government provided assistance to establish income generating projects in the villages. This includes a new fishing pond, bee farming equipment, sewing machines and a women’s resource centre which is currently under construction.
“These projects will assist the village in aspiring towards being self – sufficient and the projects are a new beginning for the village,” Turaga ni Koro Ilai Manoa said.
Meanwhile, Nabila Village in Nadroga was also declared the country’s latest Zero Tolerance Violence Free Community this week.
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