Fiji Women's Rights Movement Honors Human Rights Defenders

Tuesday November 29, 2011

The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement is honoring 25 Women Human Rights Defenders for two reasons. One is to mark International Women Human Rights Defenders Day and secondly to commemorate its silver jubilee.

These twenty-five women human rights defenders will be acknowledged at FWRM’s silver jubilee dinner to be held at the end of this week.

“Since the Movement started in 1986 we have had many inspiring people who have been instrumental in the Movement’s 25-year Herstory,” said FWRM Executive Director Virisila Buadromo.

“The selected 25 were nominated by FWRM staff and management board based on the contributions they made to FWRM and gender equality. It is our recognition of their commitment and passion for the rule of law, democracy, human rights and equality.”

Every year WHRD Day is commemorated on the fifth day of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign.

It is a day when we as society reflect on the experiences of women around the world. Every day, women who defend human rights, continue to pay be persecuted for their work in protecting and promoting the rights of others, and face specific types of violations because of their gender. As the main defenders of women’s rights in countries where these rights are denied on cultural, social or religious grounds, these women defenders are generally on the frontline.

“On this day, we also reflect on the work that we as an organisation have in terms of women human rights in Fiji. As a women’s human rights defender, the Movement has had many triumphs and an equal share of challenges over the years. Despite this, it has maintained its founding principles of democracy, good governance, feminism and human rights; more so during Fiji’s numerous coup d'états. Be it the 1987, 2000 or the 2006 political upheaval, FWRM was one of the very few ogranisations in Fiji, overtly calling for the return to democratic rule,” she said.

ENDS