34 community advocates complete Gender-Based Violence Counsellor Training in Tuvalu
28 Oct, 2024
All smiles for participants and facilitators at the graduation ceremony (Photo: FatuLei)
A significant milestone has been reached in the work to eliminate violence against women, girls, and children in Tuvalu with the completion of the Gender-Based Violence Counsellor Training by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre in the capital, Funafuti from 15th to 25th October 2024.
The 34 participants included members of the Police, Judiciary, Community representatives, Church groups, Social Welfare Department, Youth representatives and FatuLei (Tuvalu Women for Change Association).
This counsellor training was facilitated by a team of experienced counsellors and trainers, including Coordinator Shamima Ali, Counsellor Supervisor Elina Cagilaba, Senior Counsellor and Manager Community Education Lavenia Tuitabu and Manager Research Ilisapeci Veibuli.
“It is encouraging to see more and more people working to eliminate violence against women and girls,” said Ms. Ali. “We look forward to continued collaboration, particularly with FatuLei and the Tuvalu Gender Affairs Department through the Pacific Women’s Network Against Violence Against Women.”
“We also acknowledge the support and collaboration that has gone into making this two-week training possible.”
This training was supported by the Government of Tuvalu, the World Bank, Australian Aid and FatuLei (Tuvalu Women for Change Association).
Shamima Ali visiting FatuLei (Tuvalu Women for Change) Photo: FWCC
“The sessions became a moment of self-reflection for me,” said Tanene Kilita Teo, 32, from the Tuvalu Gender Affairs Department. “What I was expecting from this training and what we went through was entirely different and I can say that I see the world entirely different now”
“The facilitators were simple and clear, and I thank FWCC for sharing this wealth of knowledge with us”
The counsellor training ended with a colourful graduation ceremony that was attended by Funafuti Island Chief Siose Teo and Acting Prime Minister Simon Kofe as well other officials from the Australian High Commission.
The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre is the Secretariat of the Pacific Women’s Network Against Violence Against Women which was formed in 1992. The network consists of more than 20 organisations across the Pacific addressing the issue of violence against women and children in their diverse communities.
Funafuti Island Chief Siose Teo and Acting Prime Minister Simon Kofe with Ilisapeci Veibuli, Elina Cagilaba and Lavenia Tuitabu at the closing of the two-week Gender-Based Violence Counsellor Training in Tuvalu. (Photo: FatuLei)