Assessment: Gender violence levels above world average

FIJI’S level of violence against women is much higher than the world average of 35 per cent, as revealed in the United Nations (UN) Pacific Socioeconomic Impact Assessment of COVID-19 in Fiji.

The report highlighted studies that showed 64 per cent of Fijian women who had ever been in a relationship had experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner, a rate much higher than the global average of 35 per cent.

The report further revealed that in Fiji, levels of violence against women were among the highest in the world.

It stated when partner and non-partner violence were combined, it was observed 71 per cent of Fijian women had faced physical and/or sexual violence.

“This figure is aligned with the data from other Pacific Island countries (PICs) but is much higher than the world average of 35 per cent.

“The COVID-19 lockdown had a negative impact on domestic violence, worsening a situation that was already amongst the world’s worst. According to Fijian authorities, domestic violence complaints more than doubled during the months of March and April, 2020.”

The report also revealed mobility had always been one of the most important barriers for women seeking help and support from either family members or government agencies, as abusive partners often placed restrictions on women’s mobility and limited contact with friends and family.

“Lockdown measures add pressure to mobility concerns and might limit women’s capability to seek support and shelter when needed, with a greater possible impact on the poorest women and on those women living in rural areas as most police posts and social welfare offices in Fiji are located in urban areas.”

The report also revealed poverty as a risk factor was not one of the biggest determinants for gender-based violence in Fiji.

“Violence against women is widespread – more than half of Fiji’s women from the higher socio-economic groups experience intimate partner violence, figures only slightly lower than the national average of 64 per cent.”

It stated poverty and economic pressures had a direct impact on women’s ability to move away from an abusive relationship.