Despite our aim to work ourselves out of business, the Vanuatu Women’s Centre, Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and Family Support Centre in the Solomon Islands continue to keep their doors open because of the ongoing violence against women and children’s crisis.
Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre coordinator Shamima Ali said this after she was awarded Vanuatu’s 40th-anniversary medal from president Nikenike Vurobaravu.
The medal was given to Ms Ali in recognition for her services to Vanuatu, particularly in her work to eliminate violence against women and children.
Through the Pacific Women’s Network Against Violence Against Women, Ms Ali was acknowledged as a great mentor to the Vanuatu Women’s Centre over the past 30 years.
“This is a great milestone, not only for the Vanuatu Women’s Centre but all of us in the Pacific Women’s Network against Violence against Women that has existed since 1992,” she said in a statement.
“This is for all the work we have all done on ending all forms of violence against women, girls and children.
“But while we celebrate the Vanuatu Women’s Centre’s existence, we also lament the fact that despite our aim to work ourselves out of business one day, the Vanuatu Women’s Centre is still here 30 years later.
The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre is still here 38 years later and the Family Support Centre in the Solomon Islands is still there”.
Ms Ali was able to receive the medal under the Honours Act of Vanuatu and through the recommendation of Vanuatu’s Prime Minister.
