One Billion Rising Fiji

PR04/2013

Wednesday February 13, 2013
PRESS RELEASE

One Billion Rising Fiji

On February 14, 2013, the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement will be joining women and men, around the world in rising up, dancing and demanding an end to violence against women. This global day of action marks the fifteenth anniversary of V Day – a global movement to end violence against women.

“FWRM supports the One Billion Rising Fiji campaign because it is appalled at the statistics of rape in Fiji. Since the beginning of this year, we have had two gang rapes; and only last week a nine-month child was raped,” said FWRM Executive Director Virisila Buadromo.

According to media reports, so far this year, the police have dealt with more than 100 incidents of rape and sexual abuse.

A national survey of women in Fiji by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre has found that more than three in five (64% of women) who had ever been in a relationship have experienced physical or sexual violence or both by a husband or intimate partner.

Globally, statistics show that one in three women on the planet will be raped and beaten in their lifetime.

“That’s more than one billion women violated - one billion women, which also includes the women and girls in Fiji. We must rise up and put a stop to the rape culture that is prevalent in our homes and communities. The elimination of rape should be on everyone’s agenda and given priority by all State bodies and corporations.”

FWRM will be marching in solidarity with One Billion Rising Fiji on Thursday and urges members of the public to do the same.

March details

Date : Thursday February 14, 2013
Time : 11.30am – procession to gather at Gordon St (near the Tanoa Plaza) and march to Sukuna Park. There will also be a flash mob to the ‘Break the Chain’ song at Tappoo City and MHCC at 5.30pm

ENDS.

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