Domestic violence a huge challenge
FROM when it began providing counselling services in 1983, the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) has been, and continues to be, a haven for women and girl survivors of all forms of violence, abuse and rape. Over the years, the centre, as it is commonly known, has grown to provide support services as well as cater for children survivors and even counsel men who have nowhere else to turn to. At the core of the FWCC are the counsellors — the women who are the ears that listen day-in and day-out to the challenges, pain and heartache of survivors, and the hands that embrace the survivors and help them through some of their most traumatic experiences. As we celebrate International Women’s Day today, we highlight the experiences of four counsellors at the FWCC as they share candidly about what they have experienced and learnt during their time at the centre.
IF you ask Ilisapeci Maria to share her thoughts on the biggest challenges facing iTaukei women in Fiji today, she will tell you it’s religion and tradition.
The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre senior counsellor and community educator said for the iTaukei women and wives, there was a constant battle between the person they wanted to be and the role they were often forced to play. “Being an iTaukei woman and a Christian, the discussion around domestic violence is a huge challenge,” the 43-yearold said.
“Women are supposed to be submissive.
“If they are not, they get beaten and this should not be happening in any relationship and in any home.
“Men should respect their wives.”
Apart from religious and traditional expectations, she said iTaukei women also faced their biggest challenge from what was supposed to be their biggest support structure — the family. “Even family is a huge challenge because they keep reminding women that they should just accept what is dished out to them and be quiet. That is so wrong and that is why domestic violence and abuse continues to be an issue today.”
In her 24 years at the FWCC, Ms Maria has learnt, experienced, witnessed and achieved a lot.
She joined the centre as a receptionistcum-errand girl in 1999, became a counsellor in 2007 and a community educator as she gained experience over the years.
After three years as a volunteer, prompted by her coworkers, she applied for the position of receptionist and got it.
“I developed an interest in the work being done at the centre and when I got the receptionist role, I was able to rent a place of my own.
“I developed a sense of independence, I wanted to be my own woman and wanted my parents to have a place they could go to when they came to Suva.
“I credit this to the learnings and teachings at the centre.
“I was happy being a receptionist but when I had my second child in 2007, financial challenges made me reconsider and pushed me to take up the counsellor offer.”
Ms Maria took the role with gusto and relished the opportunity to provide hands-on support to women and girls and to guide them through some of their most challenging periods.
And the role also gave her the opportunity to establish herself financially as well.
“In 2009 I was able to purchase a house – thanks to my employment at FWCC.
“I thank the co-ordinator Shamima Ali and Edwina Kotoisuva who was assistant co-ordinator at that time for believing in me.”