Previous Story
Castaway Island Fiji to participate in gender sensitivity training
-
- The group of 10 male staff of Castaway Fiji who underwent gender sensitization training with FWCC coordinator Shamima Ali (seated right) and Lavenia Tuitabu (standing). (Contributed Photo)
-
- FWCC coordinator Shamima Ali (second from right), counselor-advocate Lavenia Tuitabu, Castaway Island Fiji Resort general manager Steven Andrews (right) and human resources manager Biu Waqaniburotu. (Contributed Photo)
-
- Castaway Island Fiji Resort male staff doing group activities during the Male Advocacy for Women’s Human Rights workshop. (Contributed Photo)
Castaway Island Fiji Resort in the Mamanuca Islands Group is the first corporate organization in the country to participate in training by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) to help its key male workers understand the issues of gender, violence against women, human rights and the role of men in eliminating gender-based violence.
Ten of the resort’s male workers, including the general manager and human resources manager, successfully completed a three-day male advocacy for women’s human rights training.
The training was facilitated at the resort by FWCC coordinator Shamima Ali and counselor-advocate Lavenia Tuitabu.
Castaway Island Fiji Resort general manager Steven Andrews said they were prompted to participate in the training after reading about the spate of cases involving violence against women over the past few months in Fiji.
“The training has really opened our eyes to the experiences of women and we realize we should not just see women as our cleaners and people who look after the children and cook, but as equals in everything we do,” Mr Andrews said.
“The training has greatly helped us to understand women better and also recognize our own roles as men in helping eliminate violence against women.”
The men who underwent training will also play a lead role in their own villages and communities to promote the elimination of violence against women and girls.
Ali said, “There’s a recognition that discrimination and violence against women has a huge impact on women’s productivity and none more so than in the hospitality industry, which projects an image of happiness through the ‘bula’ smile. However many times for women, behind that smile is a host of ongoing violence, trauma and abuse.”
Ali said that Castaway Island Fiji Resort’s management and staff need to be commended for recognising the importance of this training.
“When companies recognize the importance of understanding an issue such as violence against women, training workshops like this have more of an impact. Castaway has set an example for other tourism and corporate organizations,” said Ali.
Castaway Island was badly hit by Cyclone Winston in February but re-opened on June 1, this year. (PR)
