Male Advocacy on Women’s Human Rights

July 9, 2004 –(Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre) For the first time in the Northern Division men from the church, military, police and various government departments, have come together and collectively agreed that they will work towards addressing violence against women.

A total of twenty-participants graduated today, Friday 9 July in the first Male Advocacy training for Vanua Levu at the Commissioner Northern’s Office, at Macuata House.

The Tui Macuata Ratu Aisea Katonivere while closing the workshop and presenting certificates said he endorsed the resolutions from the workshop and will ensure that these will be discussed at tikina level and other Fijian traditional meeting and events.

Amongst the resolutions, the participants acknowledge that violence against women is a violation of women’s human rights and they make a commitment to accept women as their equal.

This is only the beginning of this work and the participants will continue to work towards the elimination of violence against women and children”, said the Tui Macuata. He thanked the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre for making the workshop happen in Labasa.

The participants said that the weeks training had made them think about their own behaviour and it has given them strategies to work with in changing sexist behaviour in the community. They also showed great concern for the human rights and developmental implications of gender violence.

Sera Bogitini of the Labasa Women’s Crisis Centre said that it was a great milestone in the work on the elimination of violence against women in Vanua Levu. It was encouraging to see that level of participation and the enthusiasm and soul searching that participants displayed to arrive at the resolutions.

For more information contact:
Shamima Ali in Labasa on 999 2875

See the Commitments Attached

THE LABASA COMMITMENT

We, the participants of the Advocacy Training for Men on Violence Against Women organized by the Labasa Women’s Crisis Centre with the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and held at the Commissioner Northern Conference Room, Macuata House from the 5 to 9 July, 2004 take responsibility towards the elimination of violence against women;

Recognising:
* That violence against women is a violation of women’s human rights.

* That the unequal status of men and women in our society is the root cause of violence against women.

* That violence against women is prevalent in Fiji and is a source of growing concern to government and civil society.

* That there is no excuse for any form of domestic violence.

* That there is no excuse for rape and sexual assault.

* That there is no excuse for sexual abuse of children.

* That violence against women is not part of our culture, tradition and religion.

* That these crimes of rape, domestic violence and child abuse are crimes against humanity.

* That there is a need to address legislation and policies relating to violence against women.

* That there is a need for victim/survivors to have access to appropriate and quality services.

* That there is a need for appropriate programs for the re-education of perpetrators of violence against women.

We therefore commit to:
* Accept that women are our equal.

* Reflect at the equality of men and women through our behaviour and attitudes.

* Re-educate our sons and daughters that men and women are equal.

* Advocate in our religious groups, youth groups and men’s groups that violence against women is a crime that must be eliminated.

* Create awareness with men in our community, workplace and social groups on the facts of violence against women.

* Be actively involved and supportive of all Government and NGO programs that promote the elimination of violence against women.

* Take reference from members of the women’s movement when conducting work in the area of violence against women.

* We are the men who have participated in the Advocacy Training for Men on Violence and we stand by the above mentioned committments.

From: http://www.fijiwomen.com/media_info/p_releases/2004/10/26/press.html