EVAW Committee formed in Nakorovou Village in Rewa 

21 Feb, 2025

An Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) Committee has been set-up by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre in Nakorovou Village in Rewa following extensive awareness sessions there in the last two years.

The Committee includes four women and two men, all of whom have been part of extensive awareness sessions on gender, violence against women and girls, human rights, relevant laws and men’s role in promoting gender equality and ending violence against women and girls.  

In November 2023, 60 women in Nakorovou village completed week-long awareness sessions while the same was held with 30 men in May 2024 after an official request from the Rewa Provincial Council.

The first follow-up meeting with all the participants was held on Wednesday (19th February 2025) this week by Senior Counsellor Advocate and the head of FWCC’s Community Education program Lavenia Tuitabu. 

It was following this meeting that an Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) Committee was formed. FWCC will now hold regular focus group discussions with the EVAW Committee in Nakorovou to discuss and record changes taking place as well the challenges they are facing.

Elimination of Violence Against Women Committees have been created by FWCC for over 30 years within villages and communities across the country. The women, men and youth on these committees have undergone trainings and are reviewed by FWCC. EVAW committees are then able to support women to report domestic violence, seek counselling and access other relevant support services.

The combination of community education with the creation of these committees can renew relationships of care in the community, as well as empower communities to hold authorities, particularly, Police accountable.

Additionally, these committees campaign and advocate against violence against women, girls and children.

This can include encouraging others to join the cause within their communities during different local, national and global awareness events, such as International Women’s Day (8 March), 16 Days of Activism against Violence Against Women (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November to Human Rights Day on 10 December) and World Human Rights Day (10 December).

These events highlight that violence against women is a fundamental violation of human rights.

Committees Against Violence Against Women is an original concept by the Vanuatu Women’s Centre. It was adopted by FWCC through the Pacific Women’s Network Against Violence Against Women which was founded in 1992.

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