COVID-19 restrictions contributed to an increase in women calling for counselling during the lockdown, says Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) counsellors supervisor Shobna Devi.
She said because of the COVID-19 restrictions women were not able to move out of their houses and were controlled by their husbands.
“So whenever they would call FWCC, they would either have to find a place where there was no one around, or if their husbands or partners are asleep, then they’ll quietly send us text messages that they are needing assistance,” she said.
“And their partners or husbands were controlling them not to access social media, not to go on their mobile phones so those are some of the reasons and also some have been assaulted, abused verbally, emotionally.
“So most of them, because of the COVID restrictions, women are working from home so they have to look after the children, do all the household chores, and also cook and clean for the family.
“There was no support from the husband, who were still trying to control.
“All the burden was on the woman, she has to do her work plus look after the family.”
Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre co-ordinator Shamima Ali said women were restricted because of COVID-19 protocols.
“Some women were forced to go out and get things and money for his cigarettes and things.”
She said they also had a small percentage who were prostituted by force particularly in the Nadi area.
“We also found that the assaults were more often marital rape. He was home most of the time and forcing her to have sex and so on.”
