Fiji rights campaigner receives anniversary medal from Vanuatu

Fiji's long-standing advocate for women's rights said being recognised by the Government of Vanuatu for her service is an honour.

The Coordinator of the Fiji's Women's Crisis Centre, Shamima Ali, was recently in Vanuatu to launch the Vanuatu Women's Centre book, Her Story.

She was then awarded Vanuatu's 40th Anniversary Medal, from the country's President Nikenike Vurobaravu, for her work in eliminating violence against women and children.

"It was unexpected," she said.

"I've been connected to the (Vanuatu) centre since 1992 through Merilyn Tahi who is the founder and the leading lady there at the centre. I did not expect a medal or anything else in my honour, but it was a very pleasant surprise.

"I'm not one for medals, awards and things, but this one meant a lot to me."

Ali said her work isn't widely acknowledged by officials in her home country, but she said she's grateful that the message of ending violence resonates in Vanuatu.

"I'm going through a lot politically in our country," she said.

"I've been speaking out against things I don't believe should be happening, so that recognition is not here - and it was good to get it from another Pacific country - in fact, what is good is getting that recognition in ending violence against women from my contribution and other women's contribution."

'A lot has improved' but work carries on

Throughout the years she's worked at the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre, Ali has called out leaders for their misogynistic behaviour, condemned convicted rapists and stood in solidarity with oppressed communities such as West Papua.

When asked if things have improved for Fijian women in the last 38 years, Ali replied that it's still "a work in progress".

"Violence against women is such an issue that it's not going to go away," she said.

"To end violence against women we have to end patriarchy but a lot has improved since we started in 1984. A lot has improved and we have to celebrate those things; the legislation has improved a lot.

"Faith-based organisations are the hardest to penetrate as well the cultural and traditional communities. We might not think the same way about it, but we are all united in our objective that violence is a terrible thing that happens to women and girls, and we must get rid of it."

Ali said Fiji is developing a National Action Plan focusing on addressing sexual violence against women and girls.

Fiji is the second country in the world to develop such a plan, after Australia. In Fiji more than 64 percent of women have reported to have experienced some form of violence.

Pacific women need to be celebrated for their resilience despite the many challenges that have come their way, Ali said.

"Wherever we are, women have stood up for themselves and continue to do this through the work that they do in promoting human rights, ending violence and so on."

"But also the men need to be commended, there aren't too many of them but there are some very good men who are working with us as equals rather than taking over us."