GENDER BASED VIOLENCE WORKING GROUP MEETS
31st May
A meeting was held at the Fiji Police Force Headquarters this week which brought together service providers in a bid to improve responses to cases of gender-based violence.
The meeting saw representatives from the Fiji Police Force, Ministry of Women and Children and Poverty Alleviation, Medical Services Pacific, Fiji Women’s Crisis Center, Empower Pacific, Salvation Army and Homes of Hope.
Co-chaired by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rusiate Tudravu and Ministry of Women and Children and Poverty Alleviation's Permanent Secretary Ms Jennifer Poole, discussions revolved around improving and strengthening services for women and girl survivors of gender-based violence.
DCP Tudravu said the working group committee’s role is important in communicating the needs of their respective service providers. “All service providershave their own role to play and the only way we can improve and learn from our weaknesses if we are made aware of them in forums such as this”.
“There are areas that the Fiji Police Force also need to improve on and we do have mechanisms in place where our shortfalls can be addressed for the sake of improving our responses to gender based violence”.
Ms Poole said the meeting was another important journey helping service providers respond effectively to the needs of women and girl survivors.
“At times there are circumstances that might challenge our ability to deliver our services but it’s important to work together and think of ways to addressing those needs to best deliver our services”.
Ms Poole said the second phase with regards to the training of the Service Delivery Protocol is underway in strengthening service providers roles.
The Fiji National Service Delivery Protocol for Responding to Cases of Gender Based Violence is a document outlining the standard operating procedures for Interagency Response among Social Services, Police, Health and Legal/Justice providers.
The National Protocol is a response that ensures the provision of appropriate, timely and quality services for survivors of gender-based violence together with accountability and justice for perpertrators.
