FWCC Completes Second Prevalence Study Fieldwork on Intimate Partner Violence

20 May, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre announces the completion of the fieldwork for Fiji’s second national prevalence study on intimate partner violence: A survey exploring the prevalence, incidence and attitudes to intimate partner violence undertaken in partnership with the Fiji Bureau of Statistics with Equality Institute Australia as the GBV research expert consultant. EQI is an Australian research and communications agency, working globally to advance gender equality and prevent violence
against women and girls.

The final report, which will present the national findings and recommendations, is expected to be officially launched before the end of the year. FWCC utilised a research methodology developed by the World Health Organization, internationally recognised as best practice for researching violence against women.

“The methodology has been used extensively across the Pacific region and in other parts of the world including in Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Fiji because it produces reliable and ethical findings, while prioritising and protecting the safety, confidentiality, and well-being of women participating in the study, particularly those living with violence,” said FWCC Coordinator Shamima Ali.

She added that the research was originally intended to be conducted in 2021, in line with international best practice of undertaking comparative prevalence studies after at least 10 years following Fiji’s landmark 2011 study; however, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted timelines globally, including large-scale national research and field operations.

Ali also noted that similar national prevalence studies undertaken across the Pacific region, including in Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Kiribati, have consistently shown high rates of violence against women, highlighting that this is not unique to Fiji, but remains a significant regional and global issue.

“The preliminary findings are already providing important insights into changing trends, experiences, and realities facing women and girls in Fiji. Reliable national data remains critical to understanding the scale, patterns, and changing nature of violence against women in Fiji and to strengthening prevention and response efforts across communities and institutions,” she said.

The 2011 National Research on Women’s Health and Life Experiences in Fiji played a major role in shaping national policy discussions, survivor-centred services, advocacy initiatives, and broader public understanding of violence against women in Fiji.

The findings also informed key national frameworks, including Fiji’s National Action Plan to Prevent Violence against All Women and Girls and the Fiji Country Gender Assessment.

FWCC acknowledges its development partners, including the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, for their continued support towards efforts to address violence against women and girls in Fiji.

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For more information, contact: fwcc.shamima@gmail.com