Vuniwaqa: Opposition’s bipartisan call ‘hollow’

WOMEN and Children Minister Mereseini Vuniwaqa says the Opposition’s call for a bipartisan approach to address violence against women and girls rings hollow because of their lack of support for existing mechanisms.

Speaking in Parliament at its last sitting for 2020, she said “they don’t even turn up to initiatives where Government is working in conjunction with all relevant national stakeholders who are actually making an effort in their everyday work to address these issues.

“We had received an email from the Opposition office to advise that only Hon Kepa, Hon Qionibaravi, Hon Salote Radrodro and Hon Tabuya will be attending the launch (of the National Action Plan). Only Hon Ro Teimumu Kepa and Hon Biman Prasad turned up on the day,” she said.

“That email also speaks volumes about the mindsets that exist in our society when it comes to the topic of violence against women.”

Ms Vuniwaqa said in their roles as parliamentarians, they must always emphasise that violence against women was not only a women’s issue, it was also a human rights issue.

“From this side of the House, you will see the Hon Prime Minister himself picking up the mantle when it comes to genderbased violence.

“Hon Salote Radrodro rightly stated that the national action plan will not include boys and asks the question who will look after the boy victim. This is coming from a former Director for Women in the Ministry mandated with the task of looking after not only women but also children.”