Fiji: Patriarchy Is The Root Cause Of Violence
Implying that men are highly inclined to commit violence due to unhealed trauma and financial struggles not only shifts the responsibility away from the perpetrators but also puts vulnerable members of our communities at risk, especially women and children who may already be experiencing abuse at home.
"Domestic violence stems from the choice to use power and control over another person. The cause of violence is rooted in patriarchy that reinforces societal norms and gender inequality that tolerates abuse against women. Our leaders need to learn and understand the roots of gender-based violence and its far-reaching consequences as it impacts not just on the women and children but whole communities and societies,' FWRM Executive Director, Nalini Singh said.
FWRM calls for more constructive dialogue on how to address violence and create a safe environment for the vulnerable in our households, especially for victims/survivors of abuse. According to FWRM research, women who have faced violence experienced barriers accessing justice due to legal, financial, geographical or practical barriers. Our leaders need to be more focused on ensuring that justice systems are accessible, responsive and victim-friendly, and they must tackle the root causes of violence.
FWRM looks forward to the further implementation of strategies in the Fiji NAP, which also fosters collaboration between all stakeholders. We also call for a clear, unapologetic focus on ending gender-based violence through a human rights approach, one that demands accountability, addresses trauma, and dismantles the systems that allow violence to thrive.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
25-07-2025
- Scoop
Feminist Leaders Challenge GBV Policy Paper That Recentres Patriarchy And Undermines Survivor-Centred Approaches
Fijian feminist leaders from the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre (FWCC) and Fiji Women's Rights Movement (FWRM) are raising strong concerns over a recent policy paper titled 'Masculinities and Gender-based Violence in Fiji: The Perceptions of iTaukei Men' by Avelina Rokoduru. The paper, published under the New Zealand Pacific Gender Research Portal, has prompted concerns for recentering patriarchal narratives, minimising survivors' voices, and misrepresenting feminism as incompatible with Pacific contexts. While it is important to engage men in efforts to end gender-based violence (GBV), feminist advocates argue that this paper, which contains perspectives of only 31 men, dangerously prioritises male discomfort over survivor safety and accountability. It positions feminist approaches as ineffective and even obstructive—despite decades of proven leadership by women's rights organisations in Fiji and the Pacific. 'Feminism is not an external import—it is deeply rooted in the Pacific and led by women who have long worked within our cultures, faiths, and values to end violence,' said Nalini Singh, Executive Director of FWRM. 'To frame feminist work as a barrier to national policy is not only misleading—it is dangerous.' The paper argues that Fiji's GBV response has been hindered by a feminist lens that centres survivors, and suggests policy should be reshaped to reflect men's perspectives and their resistance to current gender discourses. We argue this is a regressive move that reinscribes patriarchy—a system where male dominance is normalised, and women's experiences are devalued. In reality, feminist-led organisations such as the FWCC, FWRM and DIVA for Equality, and others have driven the most robust national data collection and service delivery on GBV, including the landmark prevalence studies by FWCC (Somebody's Life, Everybody's Business: National Research on Women's Health and Life Experiences in Fiji (2010/2011)) and DIVA for Equality ('Unjust, Unequal, Unstoppable: Fiji LBT women and gender non-conforming people tipping the scales toward justice' (2022)). Yet the paper falsely implies that feminists have prevented data collection on perpetrators, deflecting attention away from state institutions that remain underfunded or uncoordinated. The paper also frames gender equality as a 'Western' concept, ignoring the long history of Pacific women who have embedded gender justice within cultural, Indigenous, and spiritual frameworks. Feminists caution that such framing can serve to reinforce patriarchal power under the guise of cultural authenticity. Critically, the paper fails to apply an intersectional lens, excluding voices of LGBTQI+ individuals, women with disabilities, rural and young women—those most affected by GBV and most neglected in state responses. The paper also uses terms like "incompatibility" and "communication breakdown" to explain GBV, rather than clearly naming power and patriarchy as root causes of violence. 'Gender-based violence is about power, not culture,' said Shamima Ali, Coordinator of FWCC. 'Culture can be a tool of healing or harm—what matters is whether it protects rights and promotes safety. This paper sadly reinforces the idea that addressing GBV means making men feel comfortable, rather than making women and survivors feel safe.' Feminist networks across the Pacific are calling for renewed focus on survivor-centred, intersectional, and anti-patriarchal policies that address the root causes of violence. They stress the need for stronger investment in feminist research, movement-building, and structural reform—not a return to systems that normalise male control. 'We cannot end GBV by reinforcing the same patriarchal logic that created it,' said Nalini Singh. 'We need political courage to move forward—not policy dressed up in gendered neutrality that quietly protects the status quo.' The one useful contribution the paper makes is that it reinforces what has been said by Fijian and Pacific feminists, but purely anecdotally, and makes no new findings. Feminist advocates are urging everyone to: • Recognise and respect the leadership of Pacific feminist and survivor-led organisations; • Ensure future research on GBV is grounded in intersectional and rights-based frameworks; • Reject narratives that pit masculinities against feminism; and • Name and dismantle patriarchy in both policy and practice.
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Scoop
Pacific Trade Ministers To Meet In Fiji
Minister of State for Trade and Investment Minister of State for Trade and Investment Nicola Grigg will travel to Fiji this week to attend the Pacific Island Forum's Trade Ministers Meeting (FTMM). 'Trade plays a critical role in getting more money into your back pocket, helping you and your family to thrive. It drives employment, economic growth, and lifts the standard of living in NewZealand and across the Pacific,' Ms Grigg says. The Pacific Island Forum's (PIF) biennial Trade Ministers Meeting will be held in Suva on 18 July. It is a key regional event, bringing together Pacific trade ministers to discuss and shape the future of trade and economic integration. 'The Government is strongly committed to supporting Pacific Island countries to grow the positive impacts of trade. New Zealand's attendance at the FTMM signals our continued commitment to regional cooperation, resilience, and leadership in advancing Pacific trade priorities under the 2050 Strategy for the Pacific Blue Continent,' Ms Grigg says. 'This key regional meeting provides a timely platform to discuss the critical importance of the rules-based trading system, with the World Trade Organisation at its core. This structure is particularly vital for small countries like New Zealand and PIF members. We are best served by a world in which trade flows freely governed by rules. 'I will attend a Fiji NewZealand Business Council event where the Council will launch its strategy to help reach the joint NewZealand and Fiji goal of lifting two-way trade to NZ$2 billion by 2030. 'I also look forward to engaging with my PACER Plus Ministerial counterparts. PACER Plus is the largest and most comprehensive trade agreement in our region. It is helping both large and small businesses — including women-led businesses — to grow; reduce costs through e-commerce and enhance regulatory cooperation between governments, streamline customs processes, paperless trade, and provisions on investment that protect investors; and to promote cross-border investment flows. 'While PACER Plus is a trade agreement, with currently 10 parties, that also speaks to the bonds between our nations, as neighbours, partners, and family, whose interests, prosperity, and well-being are intertwined.' The goal of lifting joint two-way trade with Fiji and New Zealand was set by our Prime Ministers in June last year. The Joint Statement by the Prime Ministers of Fiji and New Zealand can be read here.
Scoop
21-05-2025
- Scoop
Exposing The Deception: Consumption, Conservation Or Carnage At Te Waihora?
Press Release – Christchurch Animal Save The suffering inflicted on these sentient beings cannot be justified under the guise of tradition. We must confront the narrative that equates hunting with conservation and killing for fun. As it often masks the cruelty that happens far from public view. As duck shooting season unfolds at Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere), we face a harsh reality: many hunters disguise violence against bird populations as conservation. They claim to shoot for sustenance and protection of the environment while manipulating ecosystems, leading to devastating consequences for vulnerable wildlife. On the opening day of Duck Shooting Season, Christchurch Animal Save volunteers, who were operating entirely legally, had their drone shot down while documenting a wounded duck flapping for its life in the water. 'Our group worked tirelessly to protect these innocent creatures, successfully diverting hundreds of birds en route to shooters hiding in a maimai', says a Christchurch Animal Save volunteer. This proactive approach allowed many birds to escape danger, highlighting the power of direct action in the fight for justice. Despite the hunters' claims of legal and ethical practices, 'we found four deceased ducks who had succumbed to prolonged suffering after being shot, but not fatally', says a local resident. These included two Tētē-moroiti, Grey Teal, which are supposed to be fully protected in New Zealand. This is a clear example of why gun-wielding ambushers are not the answer to managing introduced species, especially around Te Waihora, Lake Ellesmere. Te Waihora is a vital habitat, home to around 170 bird species, including endangered birds like the Australasian Bittern. This area is recognised as having the single most diverse bird habitat countrywide. How can an area coined as a 'bird sanctuary' be turned into a firing zone for three months of the year? The suffering inflicted on these sentient beings cannot be justified under the guise of tradition. We must confront the narrative that equates hunting with conservation and killing for fun. As it often masks the cruelty that happens far from public view. Additionally, 'The year before, we retrieved hundreds of plastic cartridges from the shores of Te Waihora and found empty alcohol cans inside maimai huts', says another volunteer, revealing the environmental and socially unacceptable implications of this violent pastime. Now is the time for us to unite and advocate for a ban on bird shooting at Te Waihora, leading to a total ban. Together, we can ensure this cherished habitat is preserved for future generations and that animals are respected rather than exploited. Let us foster a true sanctuary for all species, where every bird can thrive peacefully.
