WUNRN
The Fiji training for
female prison inmates and wardens is part of the Ministry of Health, Women and
Social Welfare’s observation of 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence.
FIJI - FEMALE PRISON INMATES ATTEND FIRST GENDER
WORKSHOP
Female inmates of Suva Women’s Prison were reminded by the Deputy
Commissioner of Prisons, Mr Auta Moceisuva that even though they
were offenders they had the right to be treated with dignity.
The Deputy Commissioner made these comments while opening the first ever
training on gender violence and gender sensitised issues today.
Speaking to the 28 inmates and 12 wardens of the Suva Women’s Prison, Mr
Moceisuva said the Fiji Prisons and Correctional Services fully supported
the initiative by the Department of Women.
“When we were informed about the workshop, we could see the meaningful
connection between the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence and our
Yellow Ribbon programme.
In fact, the Deputy Commissioner informed the participants that the principles
of CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against
Women) are factored into the 2006 Prisons reforms.
Mr Moceisuva said the prison reforms is about making sure that when
inmates are released from prison, they are accepted back into society and
workshops such as this is a step forward.
“Our roles are no longer just confined to the four walls of prison; we have to
not only change the mindset of the inmates, but society as well.”
Mr Moceisuva said he hoped that the training will help reduce the amount
of prisoners re-offending.
“We have at least 50 per cent of re-offenders returning from prison and we
think that there could be two possibilities; past rehabilitation has not
been effective and society not accepting them back into the community.”
The workshop will not only create awareness for the inmate’s rights, but
it will give them dignity.
“Every offender must be treated with dignity,” Mr Moceisuva said.
Ministry of Health, Women and Social Welfare spokesperson Mr Fred Elbourne said
the training is the first step towards creating behavioural change in
attitude towards issues relating to gender.
“It is envisaged that after the training sessions the inmates will become
gender sensitised and appreciated since violence against women and children is
wrong.”
The training is part of the Ministry of Health, Women and Social Welfare’s
observation of 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence.
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