Wednesday 25 November marked the launch of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Amongst the many activities happening around the country associated with this significant event, Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, Margaret Twomey, was delighted to launch the 'Hoops for Health' activities aimed at providing safe social and sporting spaces for women in Suva.
The Hoops for Health Program is an initiative funded by the Australian Government under the Pacific Sports Partnership Program. This program was designed in partnership with the Australian Sports Commission, FIBA Oceania and Fiji Basketball. It brings together women through sport, providing them with a chance to share experiences out of the home and to promote healthy living.
Ms Twomey highlighted that thirty per cent of women and girls globally experience some form of physical and or sexual violence in their lifetime. She noted that in a study done by the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre, 64 per cent of women interviewed experienced some form of violence in their lifetime. This means more than 3 out of every 5 Fijian women had experienced violence.
'These statistics indicate that we must all work together to end violence against women – against our mothers, our daughters, our sisters and our friends. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women provides an opportunity for us to come together, to galvanize one another to act to end violence against women and girls around the world,' said Ms Twomey.
High Commissioner Twomey added that by providing a safe environment through basketball, women would have a safer environment in which to talk about their concerns and find support from each other.
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Basketball Fiji at the Launch of the Hoops for Health Program at Raiwaqa Courts in Suva. Credit: Merewalesi Nailatikau / DFAT
