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The Fiji Council of Churches (FCC) is supporting the 16 Days of Activism campaign to raise awareness on violence against women and children.
A total of 10823 cases of domestic violence have been reported to the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centres across the country from January to October this year.
On Sunday churches marked “On Break the Silence Sunday”, FCC member churches focused their attention on these issues through liturgy prayers, scripture readings and sermons.
“It is important that we not only address the sin of gender-based violence and child abuse within our church community, but as faith leaders we speak with one voice in condemning it and calling for our communities and homes to be safe,” Fiji Council of Churches president Reverend Tevita Banivanua said.
Head of the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia Archbishop Reverend Dr Winston Halapua shared similar sentiments and outlined the importance of the initiative. “What a privilege it is to be a part of this initiative which is what I call a deeper level of life.”
This FCC campaign also includes, for the first time, a commercial for television and cinema that features church leaders speaking out against gender-based-violence and violence against children.
This year’s theme is “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World – Make Education Safe for All”. The theme recognises that girls and young women in most societies still face severe challenge of accessing education.
In the pursuit of gaining an education, girls and women are still vulnerable to discriminatory practices, abuse, attacks and harassment.
The campaign spans 16 Days in order to highlight the links between ending gender-based violence and human rights values and that gender based violence is an international human rights violation.
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