| Fiji Women's Crisis Centre, Headquarters |
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The FWCC is also involved in public advocacy and community education on gender violence. The Centre's strategies are based on the conviction that violence against women is a fundamental human rights and development issue. The Centre's work addresses all forms of violence against women including rape, beating, sexual harassment and abuse of children. FWCC is a respected professional organisation. It was established in 1984 and has succeeded in influencing public opinion in Fiji such that most sectors of society recognise and support the need for emergency services and ongoing support for women who are subjected to any form of violence.Over the past four years the FWCC has done pioneering work to document, analyse and support the development of practical programs and services to deal with the problem of violence in contemporary Pacific society. The FWCC is well known and respected in international circles and its work is enhanced by participation in global networks of women working against violence.In recent years the Centre has consolidated its work and is now in a position to share its experience and expertise with Pacific organisations whose work involves efforts to combat violence against women FundingFunding for NGOs is always a problem and for the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) things were no different. When the FWCC was first established, violence against women did not fit into women and/in development programs and no funder wanted to fund administrative costs. However, FWCC persevered and in 1990 came the breakthrough when we were granted a four-year grant by AusAID, the Australian Government Development funding agency (then known as AIDAB). This funding came through our Australian NGO partner Freedom from Hunger/ Community Aid Abroad. In 1995, we negotiated another 4 year grant from AusAID and received AUD $1.4 million from the Australian Regional Funding Desk to do work in Fiji and the Pacific region. In 1999, AusAID accepted our Project Design and agreed to fund us for a further 5 years with $2.2 million to allow for the consolidation of the work of FWCC on violence against women and children in Fiji and the Pacific region. The work of FWCC has progressed and developed over the years largely because of the relationship shared with AusAID. While FWCC has been accountable in terms of reporting to AusAID and delivery of services, AusAID has been a supportive and understanding donor. FWCC has also been privileged to have the financial support from various other donors. FWCC’s national research project on domestic violence in Fiji was funded by UNIFEM New York, Asia Foundation and the Fiji Government’s Department for Women and Culture. Local business houses, individuals as well as charitable organisations have often contributed financially to the work of FWCC. The Nadi, Ba and Labasa Branches of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre are funded by NZAID.
The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre operated as a Collective including volunteers and paid staff since its establishment in 1984. However, the structure of the Centre has changed and with the increasing number of paid staff, the management structure has also changed. While the Centre continues with its staff collective, a Management Committee has been set up including the Board of Trustees and management staff of FWCC and the Project Officers of its Branches. As a charitable organisation, FWCC has four registered Trustees who sit on the Management Committee. The day to day running of the Centre is carried by the Coordinator and 16 staff of the FWCC while major decision-making is done in consultation with the Management Committee. The Management Committee has quarterly meetings and is responsible for overall policy and direction of the Centre. Working committees have been established under the former Management structure and including members of the Friends of the Centre. This working committees co-opt skilled resource people to provide specialist advice and policy guidance to the Centre in key areas such as legal advocacy, staff policy and research. Fiji Women's Crisis Centre
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The Fiji Women's Crisis Centre (FWCC) provides crisis counselling and legal, medical and other practical support services for women and children who are sufferers and survivors of violence committed against them by men. 
