Workshop Serves as Eye-Opener for Men
Macuata man always thought that when people talk about violence against women and girls it was only rape. Now he’s learned it’s much more
Nineteen men from the three provinces on Vanua Levu have taken the first step to fight violence against women and girls.
They were part of a seven-day workshop which is organised by Transcend Oceania, a non-government organisation that promotes training and education in this field. In addition, the NGO also promotes peace, justice and development as a strategic and non-violent way of prevention and intervention.
At regional level the NGO helps peace building strategies to the many conflicts and social issues people in the Oceania region are increasingly facing today.
Seci Navila, 40, of Sasa, in Macuata, said the training was an eye opener for him.
“This is the first training I am attending. I have learned a lot. I will inform the men about what I have learned during the training. I am grateful that I have been chosen to be part of the training,” the fatherof-six said.
“I always thought that when people talk about violence against women and girls I think it was only rape.
“But now I learned that the violence can be the words you use when talking to your wife and children.
“Most of the time women fight for themselves but I want them to know that we are here to fight for them. It is time to stop all the violence against women and girls.” Another participant, Timoci Tuiwainunu, 26, of Kiobo Village, in Bua, said every woman and girl should be cherished.
“I am glad that I am here representing my tikina (district) because I have learned something that I will always cherish,’’ Mr Tuiwainunu said.
“We are told to decrease and eradicate violence against women and girls by informing people of what we have learned.
“It is time to change the mindset of the people that think women belong in the kitchen or they can do whatever they want to their wives or children.
“I have also learned that women also want their voice to be heard. At most meetings women are not allowed to speak and it is time that their voices are heard because they are also part of our community.
“There are only 19 of us representing Vanua Levu and I think it is about time that this kind of training is inducted in each and every village so that men and boys are educated on violence against women and girls.”
The seven-day training ended on Saturday