‘Violence affects nation’
PRIME Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said violence against women and girls not only affected survivors, it also affected children, extended families, friends, work colleagues and ultimately the nation.
He made the comment during the launch of the National Consultation for the Development of the National Action Plan to prevent Violence Against All Women and Girls yesterday.
The PM said 10 Fijian women were killed by their intimate partners last year and two out of every three women in Fiji had experienced physical or sexual violence from a male partner in their lifetime.
Mr Bainimarama also said there were not only personal stories behind the statistics — but there were also attitudes, social norms, gender roles and rigid stereotypes, where everyday sexism, discrimination and disrespect of women and girls go unchallenged in our society.