New bylaws being introduced in Fiji to combat public flogging in some iTaukei villages have been welcomed by the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre.
The centre's coordinator, Shamima Ali, says the bylaws were introduced in the colonial era to allow village chiefs to preserve customs and traditions.
But she says some remote villages have exploited the bylaws, and have taken to public flogging as a way to restrict women's rights.
"What has happened is that people have taken the law into their own hands, so to speak, and have expanded the laws to include restrictions on women's dressing et cetera."
Ms Ali says although the practice is not common and does not have government sanction, it's good to see the government tackling down on it.
Fiji government buildings Photo: RNZI / Sally Round
