non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
and civil society organizations (CSOs)
across Fiji, held training workshops and
conducted community visits to create
awareness on human rights under REACH
(Rights, Empowerment and Cohesion)
Programme reaching out to 6,369 women
and LGBTI participants in 2017.
Key challenges identified by women/LGBTI
participants:
Discriminatory behaviors
legitimised by customary, cultural
and religious beliefs/village by-laws
restrictions on dressing, selfexpression and participate on an
equal basis.
Preclusion of non-heterosexuals
from donating blood by the Ministry
of Health and Medical Services.
Despite the zero tolerance policy,
some women are still apprehensive
about lodging police complaints
because of family pressure, cultural
restrictions about going against
household heads resulting in cases
of incest, marital rape and child
abuse being unreported.
Sex workers taken in police custody
not treated with respect.
Greater awareness needed on
accessing reproductive health
services, contraceptives, counseling
screening for HIV and STIs for rural
and remote communities.
Gender sensitization for healthcare
workers who provide family
planning services to LGBTI (transwomen in particular) in ensuring
safe spaces to access contraceptives
and hormonal tablets.
Provision of interpreters for
persons with disabilities (mute and
deaf) when taken in police custody
for questioning and ensuring that