NOT DISCRIMINATORY, SAYS SOKIA
Village by-laws set by Vunidawa villagers in Naitasiri are not meant to discriminate against anyone or any group, said the Assistant Roko Tui of the Naitasiri Provincial Council, Lorima Sokia. Mr Sokia made the comment during the Human Rights Day celebration hosted by the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission at Vunidawa District School yesterday.
Some of the established by-laws in the village include women not wearing short attire, men not wearing caps, hairbands and a ban on alcohol consumption within the village boundaries.
“Rights come with responsibilities,” Mr
Sokia said.
“The by-laws in the village are mutually agreed. At times, it may become hard to abide with them but it all depends on how we approach the people to let them know about village by-laws so that they have an idea that this is a village and these are the by-laws.
“We just want to ensure that everything is governed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Assistant Director for Child Services, Ela Tukutukulevu said every child had the right to education and life.
“Responsibility of parents can make a difference as they will portray how important their children’s education is in our society,” she said.
“Not the child welfare, not the Police but parents should take the first step to register their child when they are born.
“During the festive time, we should ensure they are safe.”
Ms Tukutukulevu said according to the child welfare database, child neglect was the highest case of child abuse for the past three years.
She urged villagers of Vunidawa, Lutu, Vuisiga, Naluwai and Nabaitavo, who were part of the celebration, to treat children with care and help prevent child abuse.