The village of Volivoli in Sigatoka has become the latest village in Fiji to implement the Zero Tolerance Violence Free Community Program; which will lead to creating a violent free community for their village.
Since it was introduced in 2008, the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare has continuously pushed for the implementation of the program as part of Government’s commitment towards women and child protection around the country. The program was piloted in Koroipita, Lautoka and since then has continued to expand with a total of 34 communities currently working with government in eliminating all forms of violence against women and children.
This week Volivoli villagers pledged their commitment for this program and were joined by the Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni. The village was presented with a certificate acknowledging this commitment to a violence free program. The villagers thanked Dr Luveni for being the first cabinet minister to set foot in their village and network with the people.
Volivoli village Turaga Ni Koro or village headman Mr Rupeni Takavo, the turaga-ni-koro said that while the village seldom experiences any form of violence in recent years, the implementation of this program will strengthen peace and unity among his people to keep Volivoli a violence-free village.
“There are about 500 people in this village and we have committed ourselves to work with the government on the violence free program. We have set up a gatekeeping committee to ensure that no violence will be tolerated in Volivoli. The villagers have been informed about the Domestic Violence Decree and Crimes Decree, so are very well aware of the laws in place and the consequences they will face if they break the law,” he said.
“We will develop a guideline and a disciplinary committee will be formed to ensure that children are home by 6pm and focus on their studies. People will be monitored as we don’t want people to waste their time drinking yaqona we want parents to focus on their families wellbeing. In our village meetings we have made the rule clear and have confirmed that we won’t tolerate any forms of violence against women and children,” he said.
Volivoli women’s group president Mrs Kinisimere Lalanawai, thanked government for addressing womens’ issues and said that all the villages in Fiji should join this program.
“This is a much awaited program and our women are happy that we have got a proactive minister who confidently reaches out to the communities and advocates on womens’ right. Women contributions often go unnoticed. Through this program, we are hoping that the women here will become more visible in decision making processes and promote a culture where men respect the women and their families. This is possible and the zero tolerance program has showed us the way to build a better Fiji. I believe that all the villages should join this program,” she said.
In her opening address, Minister Luveni congratulated the Volivoli villagers and reiterated on the need for communities to take ownership of this program.
“Happy families set the platform for peaceful communities that care for the wellbeing of women and children. I hope to come back next year for the declaration and after successful implementation of this program, there will be a billboard in front of your village that will signify that this is a violence free community-there is complete happiness and peace in this community,” Minister said.
Sigatoka Police Station officer Mr Henry Steele pointed out that zero tolerance program will significantly complement the role of community policing in the areas.
“Volivoli village is one of the communities in Sigatoka that doesn’t have any reported cases of violence. We are determined to develop Volivoli as a model village for violence free program and more communities in the Nadroga/Navosa province have queued up for this initiative,” Mr Steele added.
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