Fiji strengthens violence response with new protocol

Fiji is strengthening its response to domestic violence and child protection with a new nationwide service delivery protocol. This initiative aims to improve coordination between government agencies and support organizations, ensuring a more unified approach to handling cases.

The protocol brings together 14 government ministries, the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, the health sector, and civil society organizations. Minister for Women Sashi Kiran highlighted that the National Action Plan on the Prevention of Violence against Women and Children is being implemented, with ongoing institutional capacity-building.

"Delivery protocol that has been developed, and the crisis centre has been part of it as well. So civil society, health, and all the ministries have been working together to try and strengthen response to violence cases, and that is women, children, older persons, online violence that has all been included in this space," Kiran stated.

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Delivery protocol that has been developed, and the crisis centre has been part of it as well. So civil society, health, and all the ministries have been working together to try and strengthen response to violence cases, and that is women, children, older persons, online violence that has all been included in this space.

Shamima Ali, Coordinator for the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, acknowledged the initiative but stressed that effective implementation is the primary challenge, despite Fiji having strong laws and policies. "So there needs to be all that awareness. I believe that everyone should go through, even our parliamentarians, our ministers, from government level to everybody else, communities and so on. We do a lot of work in the communities. So if their understanding is there, then we can support women a lot more," Ali said.

Ali emphasized that greater awareness, training, and commitment across all levels, from government to communities, are crucial for ensuring survivors receive the necessary protection and support.

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So there needs to be all that awareness. I believe that everyone should go through, even our parliamentarians, our ministers, from government level to everybody else, communities and so on. We do a lot of work in the communities. So if their understanding is there, then we can support women a lot more.