There is a call for increased scrutiny regarding the barriers preventing women from participating in politics, according to Nahla Haider, the chairperson of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Committee. During a session in Fiji, in response to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s question about why women do not support female candidates, Haider indicated that the issue might lie in the lack of willingness among women to enter politics rather than a lack of solidarity among female voters.
Haider emphasized that the problems operating within the electoral system often discourage women’s participation, highlighting the role political parties play when forming candidate lists. She stated that the CEDAW Committee is shifting its advocacy focus away from quotas towards ensuring parity in decision-making processes.
In a related discussion, Prime Minister Rabuka expressed a desire to enhance women’s representation in governance but warned against approaches that resemble tokenism. He pointed out that while women make up about half of Fiji’s population, their representation in political roles remains woefully inadequate—a worrying trend marked by a decline in women’s parliamentary presence from 20% in 2018 to just 14% following the 2022 elections.
These discussions echo broader regional sentiments regarding the need for systemic changes to boost women’s political power and remove obstacles such as societal pressures and gender-based violence. Measures being suggested include mentorship programs, financial support, and a cultural shift to foster unity among women in support of female political candidates.
The ongoing efforts and dialogues in Fiji reflect a hopeful pathway towards greater inclusivity in governance, signaling a commitment to ensuring women’s voices are effectively represented in decision-making processes that shape both community and country.
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