Efforts to achieve gender equality continue to face significant challenges, as highlighted by Minister for Women Lynda Tabuya during her recent address at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference in Bangkok, Thailand. She criticized the reliance on “glossy reports,” ineffective leadership, and weak accountability measures, which often hinder meaningful progress in gender equality.
In her statement, Minister Tabuya expressed concern that current initiatives do not adequately reflect the realities and needs of local communities. Despite these issues, she emphasized Fiji’s commitment to the promises made in the Beijing declaration, noting that significant strides have been made in women’s education, with female students now comprising 57% of graduates in tertiary institutions.
Tabuya pointed to advancements such as the enactment of gender-sensitive legislation, improvements in maternal health services, and a growing recognition of the need to combat gender-based violence. She commended women’s rights organizations in Fiji for their relentless advocacy for justice and equity.
However, she acknowledged that challenges remain, including deeply ingrained social norms and patriarchal structures that limit opportunities for women and girls. The burden of unpaid domestic work disproportionately affects women, often forcing them into low-paying, insecure jobs. Moreover, many women and girls still face gender-based violence and limited access to essential sexual and reproductive health services.
Tabuya expressed that for genuine progress toward gender equality, Fiji must tackle intertwined issues such as economic empowerment, bodily autonomy, and women’s leadership in both the economy and social sectors. She underscored the importance of Fiji’s National Action Plan to Prevent Violence against All Women and Girls, which aims to address gender-based violence at its foundational roots.
To ensure that commitments to gender equality translate into actionable change, Tabuya advocated for gender-responsive planning and budgeting, calling for sufficient financial investments to support these initiatives. In February 2024, Fiji plans to launch a five-year gender equality accountability initiative to monitor the implementation of gender-responsive policies across all government sectors.
In conclusion, Minister Tabuya’s message is clear: to fulfill the promises of the Beijing Platform for Action, Fiji must recognize the need for substantive change rather than maintaining the status quo. There is hope that with continuous efforts, genuine progress can be achieved, enhancing the lives of women and girls in Fiji and promoting a culture of equality and empowerment.
Summary: Minister Lynda Tabuya highlights the ongoing barriers to gender equality during the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference. Despite progress in education and policy, challenges like patriarchy and gender-based violence persist. Fiji commits to implementing gender-responsive initiatives, aiming for meaningful change in women’s rights and empowerment.
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