Commemorating 16 Days of Activism against GBV in the Western Division

After planting mangroves along the Namoli foreshore, we proceeded to the Girmit Centre to welcome our Grantee Partners to our Fun and Learning program.

The Womens Fund Fiji Fun & Learning Day was created to support the 16 Days Activism against Gender Based Violence around the world and in Fiji. Its aim is to raise awareness of the negative impacts that violence and abuse in all forms have on the women, girls, boys, and the vulnerable groups in our society, and to rid society of abuse permanently.

In her welcoming address, the Executive Director – Ms Rejieli Taylor made special mention of the Naitasiri Women in Dairy (NWID) who travelled the farthest, all the way from Naitasiri, just to be a part of the event. What an inspirationally powerful display of support to the 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based violence.

Ms Taylor also acknowledged the Donor Partners – MFAT, DFAT, Fiji Water, the WFF team and the others who have been supporters to the Grantees and for making it possible for such an event to be organized. The sea of orange speaks volume of the solidarity, support, encouragement, and unity these groups have for their members and for each other.

“These minority groups are our priority, and we share the same sentiments with you all,” echoed the words of Superintendent Mohammed Harif, Police Commander of the Western Division who was the Guest Speaker at the event.

SP Harif added, “the Police department is a strong advocate of eliminating issues against gender-based violence and victims must have the willingness to be open and call out for help when they are being victimized. Otherwise, silence can even result in death.

It was a day of fun, of great learning, of meeting and greeting, of sharing, of togetherness, of teamwork and oneness. It was a day where around 200 participants shelved their differences and focused on the common goal – commemorating the 10 days of activism against Gender Based Violence.

What a gratifying sight, to see the children from the Daulomani Home, the Ba Women’s rugby club, the women and men from Rise Beyond The Reef, members of the Pacific Rainbow Advocacy Network (PRAN), Medical Services Pacific, Empower Pacific, BIRTH (Fiji), Life Bread Connect (Fiji) , Soqosoqo Vakamarama o Ba, Lautoka  & Namoli Youth & Ministry of Youth, and of course the women who travelled all the way from the highlands of Naitasiri (NWID) including members of the public and the western communities. In addition , the WFF is so very grateful for the support rendered from the Turaga na Tui Vitogo and the ITaukei Vidilo  – Ratu Wiliame Bouwalu and the landowners, who had led the mangrove planting event in the early  hours of the morning.

In her closing remarks, Board Director, and Chair, Ms Georgina Naigulevu thanked all those who made the time and put in the effort to be part of the “Fun and Learning” event as a supportive initiative to mark the 16 days of Activism against GBV.

Ms Naigulevu added, “the event was a complete success because it achieved the objectives it was set out for. Having fun together, and learning together are building blocks of recovering together, growing together, and finding ourselves back into the communities we represent”.