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The vanua is failing to play its role in the prevention of sexual offences, says Methodist Church assistant secretary general, Reverend Tevita Nawadra.
“The derogatory portrayal of women in movies and the media, miscommunication between family members, the lack of censorship and control over what our children are exposed to are just some of the factors contributing to the increase,” said Mr Nawadra.
He said in recent times there had been a serious breakdown in traditional and family values. Mr Nawadra said the church was calling on figures of influence within the vanua as well as traditional leaders to take a more proactive role in curbing the trend as well as raising awareness.
“Elders need to set examples, parents need to spend more quality time with their families and there needs to be more dialogue between children and their parents on issues like sexuality, AIDS, and other things we consider taboo”.
In Fijian and in Fiji English, vanua is an essential concept of indigenous Fijian culture and society. It is generally translated in English as “land”, but vanua as a concept encompasses a number of inter-related meanings.
According to Fijian academic Asesela Ravuvu, a correct translation would be “land, people and custom”.
Vanua means “the land area one is identified with”, but also “the people, their traditions and customs, beliefs and values, and the various other institutions established for the sake of achieving harmony, solidarity and prosperity within a particular social context.”
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