Permit granted for ‘Reclaim the Night’ march

The Fiji Women's Crisis Centre will hold its annual "Reclaim the Night" event next Saturday in Suva, aiming to empower women to raise their voices and reclaim streets and public spaces through this safe and empowering activity.

The march has been permitted by the Fiji Police Force and the Fiji Roads Authority, but with the following conditions: the number of participants must not exceed 800; no political ideologies should be "promoted"; the march and gathering must not include banners or slogans regarding "Palestine, Israel, Kanaky, and West Papua"; and participants should avoid making "defamatory, seditious, or provocative" statements.

The Fiji Women's Crisis Centre said in a statement that the event began in 1987 with only 30 people participating, but has grown steadily over the years and is now an important component in building individual and community support to eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination against women, girls, and children. "People come together to express their opposition to violence against women, girls, and children," the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre stated.

The march will commence at 7:00 PM on March 8, 2025, from the Suva Flea Market, coinciding with International Women's Day (IWD).