Bankers ‘wear black’

AS part of global efforts in denouncing practices and attitudes permitting rape, Bank South Pacific launched “Wear Black on Thursday” campaign this month in solidarity for the cause.

BSP Group chief executive officer Robin Fleming described the Pacific-wide demonstration as critical.

“We must support initiatives and dialogue that promote human rights and justice for the victims of family and sexual violence (FSV) and gender-based violence (GSV),” he said.

“We are a family in BSP and as family members, community members, church members and leaders in our industry, in our professional and personal capacity, we must take a strong stand against all forms of violence.”

In Fiji, BSP staff members have committed to wearing black every Thursday in July as an awareness and educational campaign to show dissent to violence, especially towards women and children.

BSP Fiji country head Haroon Ali said they were proud to stand together with their comrades across the Pacific as a united voice supporting a noble cause.

“We invite everyone to join us and show respect for these survivors and honour the lives of those ended prematurely as a result of FSV and GBV in communities by wearing black for the next three

Thursdays,” Mr Ali said.

BSP’s #BlackThursday online campaign symbolises the bank’s long standing commitment to people and the vanua.

To join, photos of supporters participating in this #BlackThursday campaign during the month of July can be posted on BSP’s Facebook page or join the BSP conversation on Twitter.