Imeri Lomani is one of the eight queen contestants vying for Miss Digicel Duavata Northern Crime Prevention Carnival.
The weeklong carnival begins at Subrail Park in Labasa on July 9, after a lapse of two years.
Ms Lomani is a final year student at Sangam College of Nursing and Health Care Education, in Labasa.
The 22-year-old’s father is from Kadavu, working as an ambulance driver at Nausori Health Centre.
While her mother is from Nasealevu, Macuata, and is a secondary school teacher at Adi Cakobau School.
The youngest of three siblings says that although being away from her Sawani home in Suva is hard, she is confident in her ability to win the crown.
Representing as Miss Saqani, sponsored by Merchant Finance, she aims to advocate for victims of sexual abuse and violence saying that more could be done for them.
“Despite several helpful, progressive reforms, sexual violence statistics reflect that many crimes are still not fully addressed or understood,” Miss Lomani said.
“Which is why I feel it is important that we analyse and address the strengths and weaknesses of the current approach with the help of the latest sexual violence statistics in order to understand what needs improving and where.”
She said along with women and children, there are also male victims and that they too should not be ignored.
“Sexual violence is an everyday reality that impacts millions of people around the world,” she added.
“This violence can take many forms, including but not limited to, rape; sexual abuse; and molestation, including when committed in the context of domestic violence.”
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