A village once known for the high incidence of violence has reached a milestone yesterday. Volivoli village is the first community in the Nadroga/Nadroga province that has been declared as violence-free.
This achievement has been possible through the community’s partnership with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and the Fiji Police Force. In February this year, the community had joined a campaign called the Zero Tolerance Violence Free Community, and after 6 months of continued awareness and trainings, yesterday the village was officially recognized for its effort to eliminate violence.
The official declaration was done by Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni. She unveiled a billboard erected in front of the village to signify the long term commitment of the Volivoli’ s to eliminate violence against women and children.
In her official address, Minister Luveni congratulated the leaders of Volivoli village for their achievement which, she said has been possible through their commitment and ownership of the campaign.
“When a community is free from violence, it becomes even more resourceful. I congratulate the leaders and elders of this village for their continued support towards violence free campaign and it is reflection of their commitment as leaders to build a peaceful and promising future for their people. It also means, upbringing of children in a environment that has great value for women and children to be treated with respect in their homes and communities. It means developing a community that lives on the principle of violence free as the means to foster sustainable development,” Dr Luveni reiterated.
For the Volivoli women’s group, this day will not be easily forgotten since it signifies their freedom to break free from violence, which they have endured through the years. In her presentation to Dr Luveni, president of Volivoli women’s group Mrs Kinisimere Tubou said that following the 6 months awareness the changes has taken place in this community.
“As a result of this campaign, village leaders, women and youths have formed a gatekeepers committee that plays a proactive role to ensure that women and children are treated with care and respect. The committee has a guideline that ensures that if there is any case of violence, it has to be reported to the nearest police station.
“The awareness on violence free is also a prime discussion in church and village meetings. It is through this campaign, the women have realized that there are laws like Domestic Violence Decree and Child Welfare Decree in place that protects women and children from violence and they no longer have to live in fear or silence.
“Our conversations from the women reveal that there is change in the attitude of the men, they have started to spend more time with their families unlike before they spend time drinking yaqona,” Mrs Tubou explained.
While speaking on behalf of the Volivoli men, Mr Mesulame Gavidi said the campaign has united the Volivoli villagers to work together with the Police and take responsibilities in maintaining peace in their homes.
“Now we have a good networking with the nearby police station and they are frequently visiting us to have discussions on the laws like Crimes Decree and the need to ensure that we take responsibility in safeguarding our women and children. It is an honor and great achievement for Volivoli to be the first village in Nadroga/Navosa to take the title of a violence free community.
“We thank the government and particularly the Minister Dr Luveni for her continued support in helping us in this endeavor,” Mr Gavidi said.
The Assistant Superintendent Sigatoka Police, Mr Henry Steele said that Volivoli will also be used as a role model for a crime free village in Nadroga/Navosa.
“We have gauged that through continued awareness and interaction with the police, this community has recorded no criminal activities in the last 6 months. It is encouraging that this campaign serves a common goal of creating violence free communities and it also challenges other communities to rise up for similar achievement. Through this campaign the police is able to strengthen its trust with the people, enabling the communities to come out and report the cases of domestic violence and crime,” Mr Steele said.
The 10 major phases for the Zero Tolerance Violence Free Community Campaign are: Initial planning process, identification of stakeholders, stakeholders meeting, establishment of gatekeepers committee, community consultation, official commitment, stakeholders training on gender based violence, community training on gender based violence, economic and social empowerment program and finally the declaration of the Zero Tolerance Violence Free Community.
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