The US State Department Human Rights report on the rights of women in the country is nothing new as we have been advocating these points over the past 25 years.
Fiji Womens Crisis Centre Co-ordinator Shameema Ali said the 2008 Country report is like a basic repetition of their work and she said with the report coming out from the US, she hopes it is taken into account.
The Report also said that there are inconsistencies in the sentences imposed for rape by different magistrates, sentences generally ranged from one to six years imprisonment.
Ali said the report is true as in some cases depending on the Magistrate, the matter maybe transferred to the High Court where the maximum jail time is life.
She also added that at times the perpetrators are given suspended sentences or even bailed out, which does not act as a deterrent.
The report also highlights the continuous efforts by various women activists to legalize spousal rape, which in Fiji is not a specific offense.
However, the report praised the work of Police in their "no drop policy" approach to assault cases, under which they pursue investigations of domestic violence cases even if a victim with her accusations.
In an attempt to raise awareness on these issues in the Report, the Ministry of Women and the Centre will be holding a nationwide survey on March 5th, International Women’s Day.
Report nothing new: Shameema Ali
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