Efforts to achieve gender equality in Fiji are being hindered by a range of issues, including ineffective reporting, leadership shortcomings, lack of technical expertise, and insufficient accountability. This was emphasized by Lynda Tabuya, the Minister for Women, during her address at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, which focused on the review of the Beijing Platform for Action.
In her speech, Tabuya highlighted the discrepancy between global initiatives and the real-life experiences of local communities. She reaffirmed Fiji’s dedication to the principles laid out in the Beijing declaration, noting that the country has made notable progress, despite facing challenges. Currently, female students make up 57 percent of graduates from tertiary institutions, a significant achievement. Fiji has also enacted gender-sensitive legislation, improved maternal health services, and acknowledged the need to tackle gender-based violence more effectively.
The Minister praised the women’s rights organizations in Fiji for their relentless advocacy for justice and equality. However, she pointed out that while there are accomplishments to celebrate, the onus lies in translating these into substantial changes that benefit all women and girls. Education, according to Tabuya, should not just help unlock potential but also bring about tangible equality, full participation of women in the economy, and greater access to resources.
She acknowledged the persistent barriers rooted in patriarchal structures and traditional norms that continue to restrict women’s opportunities. Challenges such as the unequal burden of unpaid care work and gender-based violence remain pressing issues. To address these interconnected challenges and promote gender equality, Fiji aims to enhance women’s economic empowerment, support bodily autonomy, and increase women’s participation in leadership roles.
Moreover, Tabuya mentioned several initiatives designed to advance gender equality, such as the Fiji Country Gender Assessment and the National Action Plan to Prevent Violence against All Women and Girls. She asserted that achieving safety and equity for all women and girls requires meaningful changes backed by real financial investments in gender-responsive planning and budgeting. A five-year gender equality accountability initiative is set to begin in February 2024 to ensure that government programs and budgets reflect these commitments effectively.
Ultimately, Fiji is committed to examining and evolving its financial and technical partnerships to ensure that the promises made in 1995 at the Beijing conference do not remain mere rhetoric but translate into actionable change.
In a hopeful note, Fiji’s proactive approach and commitment to addressing gender equality signal a positive trajectory, providing an opportunity for substantial progress in the lives of women and girls across the country.
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