In first of its kind, church reps undergo Male Advocacy training

Pastors, priests, and church workers take part in a male advocacy workshop for women’s human rights conducted recently by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre in partnership with the Pacific Conference of Churches. (Contributed Photo)

SUVA, Fiji—In the first engagement of its kind, the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) in partnership with the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) is conducting a male advocacy workshop for women’s human rights with pastors, priests and church workers.

FWCC is facilitating the workshop organized by PCC to help men who are members of churches that belong to the Fiji Council of Churches understand gender, violence against women, human rights and how they can help eliminate gender-based violence.

“This is first time we have engaged directly with the Pacific Conference of Churches and the Fiji Council of Churches to raise awareness about violence against women and how pastors, priests and church workers can contribute to eliminating it,” said FWCC Coordinator Shamima Ali.

“Religious leaders play an important role in the lives of the majority of our country, so it is significant that through this workshop they are open to learning about the issues and coming to terms with the magnitude of the problem, including the fact that some priests and pastors are perpetrators of violence,” says Ali.

Participating in the workshop are 29 men, including pastors and lay preachers.

A spokesperson for the Pacific Conference of Churches said: “There is a great need for more processes like this for our ordained and lay leaders within the churches in Fiji. This is only the beginning and we would like to see more of this, not only here in Suva as a follow up but also for our male church leaders all over Fiji.”

The PCC says there is a greater need to include young men (youth under the age of 35) in such training workshops so they can take their learning out into their peer groups, while also benefitting them as they mature into leaders within their churches and communities.

The workshop is being held at the Methodist Church in Fiji’s Epworth House hall in Suva. It was opened on Monday by church president Rev Dr. Tevita Nawadra Bainivanua.

In his opening message, Bainivanua said the Christian message of salvation for communities must also mean safe communities.

He said violence against women and children was an “evil” that was one of the main causes of problems in communities.

Facilitated by the FWCC, the workshop is funded by Australia’s Pacific Women Shaping Development Program in partnership with the Weaver’s Program of the South Pacific Association of Theological Schools and the Pacific Theological College. (PR)