The Honourable Ms Taufa Vakatale
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education and Technology
Marela House
SUVA

Dear Ms Vakatale

On behalf of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, I would like to extend our greatest appreciation for the support that you have shown us by visiting FWCC, listening and being receptive to the problems that FWCC encounters in its efforts to eliminate violence against women, and the financial contribution that the Government of Fiji has made towards the running of FWCC’s community education and awareness campaign.

We would like to thank you for your support for our Zero Tolerance to Domestic Violence Campaign. We also commend you for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit FWCC clients who are victim/survivors of domestic violence. Unfortunately Meena Kumari passed away today, leaving behind four very young children. In light of this and many other similar tragedies pertaining to domestic violence, we would like to reiterate the following requests:

That the introduction of the Domestic Violence Bill be seen as a matter of national priority and importance.
The legislation of the “No Drop” policy on domestic violence.
That police powers be extended so that non-molestation orders are implemented more effectively.
That a Special Task Force on Domestic Violence be set up as soon as possible.
That gender-awareness training for relevant government officers be made compulsory.

The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre extends its complete support and commitment towards making all of these requests a reality.

Please find enclosed a copy of Breaking the Silence, which is a collection of stories, poetry and essays about the violence that permeates the lives of women and children in Fiji and their efforts to overcome it.

We wish you a good Christmas and all the best for the new year,

Yours sincerely

SHAMIMA ALI
Co-ordinator