Stand up for your right
ATOTAL of 1692 cases of domestic violence against women were recorded by the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre (FWCC) last year. FWCC co-ordinator Shamima Ali confirmed this saying that sex discrimination, daily drudgery of work; societal biases; domestic violence, rape, sexual harassment and the violation of rights continues to be an everyday challenge for women.
Ms Ali says the main challenge is patriarchy and all the baggage that comes with it.
"We all have to understand the root cause and the contributing factors of violence against women to be able to respond to it; and to be able to develop effective prevention action and strategies," she said.
"We have to stop condoning perpetrators and to stop blaming victims.
"We also have to have policies and services in place to recognise discrimination and inequalities in order to promote women's human rights. We also have to strategies in place for transformative behaviour change."
To address the increasing number of violence against women Ms Ali said leaders had to practise what they preached.
"There is a lot more to be done. Often there is a lot of talk but little action in terms of resources (programs both governmental and nongovernmental) depends heavily on outside donors."
As we celebrate International Women's Day she says women's role – is everywhere.
From homes, fields, offices and parliament even with so many odds against them (discrimination, inequality) women still remain the backbone of our nation.
Ms Ali says all mothers are great and all women exercise leadership in whatever they take up.
"To women I say from an old Helen Reddy song: "You are strong, you are invincible" – don't suffer in silence. Stand up for your rights and stand up for other women's rights.
And to my fellow male citizens, please stand up and take action for women's human rights and stop taking away women's dignity.
"To everyone: stop being bystanders to these terrible atrocities committed on women's bodies and minds and speak out.
And the Fiji Women's Rights Movement (FWRM) executive director Nalini Singh says that International Women's Day is an opportunity to pay tribute and recognise the work of women in our lives.
Ms Singh said it was important to remember how International Women's Day came about and it was by women who were rising to demand their rights.
Despite the celebration and progress made over the years Ms Singh said women were still struggling for equality.
"In reality, we're hearing every day of women and girls being abused, raped and murdered," she said.
"Women are still demanding safe workplaces, decent pay, equal opportunities and an end to discrimination.
"They are at the forefront of these issues and the most affected during times of conflict, natural disasters and now with the climate crisis unfolding very
close to home." This she said prompted them to join the Women's Global Strike, which calls women from every corner of the world to stop or slow down their formal or care work and come together to demand women's human rights.
"We welcome everyone to use International Women's Day as a time for reflection on how we can contribute to a Fiji and Pacific that is safe, sustainable, peaceful and which leaves no one behind."
In this year's International Women's Day, she says FWRM emphasises the message, If Women Stop, the World Stops.
"We welcome everyone to use International Women's Day as a time for reflection on how we can contribute to a Fiji and Pacific that is safe, sustainable, peaceful and which leaves no one behind.
"We wish all the women and girls in Fiji a powerful and hopeful International Women's Day."