Labasa Marks the End of 16 Days Activism
Eliminating violence against women must be our common goal, says Empower Pacific Labasa branch manager Shobana Indal. The organisation marked the end of the 16 days activism against gender based violence and also celebrated Human Rights Day at Soqosoqo Vakamarama car park in Labasa yesterday.
More than 100 people attended the event.
“Achievements of gender equality and women’s empowerment will be negated if we allow violence against women to persist,” Ms Indal said.
“As recently heard from the media, within the last six days, we had two serious cases of gender based violence reported.
“These two tragic and unfortunate domestic violence cases within days should ring alarm bells on the reality that exists,” she said.
“This is not a joke, we all need to do some serious thinking as to what has gone wrong in our beloved country.”
She added that women and girls were at risk of violence when carrying out essential daily activities within their homes or while walking, taking public transport, collecting water or firewood.
“Ending violence against women is not about demanding exceptional treatment, it is simply about letting women live in dignity.
“Empower Pacific, counselling and social services NonGovernment Organisations (NGOs) would like to join hands with all including our stakeholders, faith based organisations, community, private sector and civil society at large,” she said.
“We need to collaborate and work together towards ending gender-based violence and make our home safe that we can all call Fiji.”