A national survey in Fiji on the prevalence of violence against women in relationships shows that women in rural areas are more at risk of being abused than others.
The survey was carried out by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, which interviewed more than 3,000 women over two years, from rural and urban areas in all four divisions in Fiji.
The research found 64 percent of women experience either physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, and the violence is often severe, like being kicked or dragged and beaten, choked or burnt.
A gender based violence workshop is taking place in Suva this week
Pacific Conference of Churches ecumenical animator for women Akanisi Tarabe, said gender-based violence was not just confined to women but it had been perpetrated by those in powers that affects men and women, the young and the old.
“We need to re-look at the way we are doing things and the way we work,” she said.
“Any act of violence is the direct violation of God’s justice,” Ms Tarabe said.
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