The key to changing and reducing violence against women is recognising that women and men are equal.

This was stressed by a member of the World Bank Inspection Panel and one of the original members of the Leadership Fiji Board Imrana Jalal.

Jalal, also a former Fiji Human Rights High Commissioner says that she has seen positive changes in the area of violence against women in Fiji and this is a positive reflection of engagement.

She adds that women must be given equal opportunity.

However Jalal says that should the gap be further reduced, equality must prevail and women cannot be physically violated.