Fiji's Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, says domestic violence affects every facet of life whether it's an individual or as a nation.
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Fiji's Attorney-General Photo: RNZ / Republika
His comments come after the weekend killing of a woman journalist in Suva in a domestic dispute.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum has told FBC News that abuse can also affect productivity in the tourism sector which employs a lot of women.
He says it is therefore in the commercial interest of hotels to ensure that women do not get bashed.
A survey two years ago showed that in Fiji about two thirds of women suffer sexual, physical and emotional abuse.