Minister for Women Sashi Kiran has called for urgent action to tackle violence in homes and communities, saying many victims remain silent because of stigma, fear, and shame.
Speaking in Parliament during the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women today, Kiran stressed that the issue is not only emotional but also has a national impact.
“The cost of violence is not only emotional — it is national. The economic impact is estimated to be equivalent to 7% of Fiji’s GDP, affecting families, our health system, productivity, and the nation’s development. And yet many remain silent due to stigma, fear and shame,” she said.
Kiran said the government’s response must be survivor‑focused and accessible to all, including women and girls with disabilities and those from diverse backgrounds who face greater risks.
She pointed to studies showing that around 60% of Fijian women have experienced violence in their lifetime, while 64% of ever‑partnered women have suffered physical or sexual violence from their partners.
“Police data shows that girls between the ages of 13 and 17 continue to be the most vulnerable to sexual violence in our country. From 2020 to 2024, a total of 4,159 child sexual offence cases were recorded nationwide, and 70 percent of these cases involved girls,” Kiran said.
She added that women and girls with disabilities face even higher risks of abuse.
The Minister also raised concern about the link between drug use and HIV/AIDS, noting that most cases involve men.
“Seventy percent of HIV/AIDS cases are men, largely through injectable drug use, and they spread the virus to their wives and partners. Now we are seeing increasing transmission from women to their newborn babies,” she said.
Kiran urged stronger action to protect women and girls, stressing that violence and its consequences must be addressed immediately.
