A renewed call has emerged advocating for increased participation of women in the upcoming general elections in Fiji. Salesh Kumar spoke during the Electoral Reform consultation at Nadele in Sabeto, Nadi, underscoring the direct link between heightened female voter turnout and the likelihood of more women securing Parliamentary seats. He emphasized that it is imperative for women to exercise their voting rights to promote female representation in government.
Kumar also recognized a lack of understanding around the challenges that women encounter when voting, highlighting the need to address these barriers. He stated, “I don’t know why they cannot make it, maybe they have other commitments, but they are supposed to come.” He advocated for a more balanced representation in Parliament, suggesting that the number of women elected should not be limited to merely five but should reach at least ten.
This call for greater female representation resonates with ongoing discussions focused on the systemic barriers women face in the electoral process. Similar sentiments were previously voiced by leaders such as Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica, who highlighted a troubling decline in women’s representation from 20% in 2018 to just 14% following the 2022 elections. He is among those advocating for the implementation of a quota system to boost female political participation, despite noting that even with high female voter turnout, only a fraction of women candidates were elected.
It is encouraging to see advocacy for systemic reforms and policies aimed at removing financial and societal obstacles faced by women in politics. Efforts are underway, including mentorship programs and commitments to address harassment that deter women from entering the political arena.
These discussions highlight a collective recognition of women’s essential role in governance and the importance of ensuring that their voices are adequately represented in decision-making processes. The commitment to fostering an inclusive political environment signifies a hopeful trajectory towards greater equity in Fiji’s political landscape, paving the way for a future enriched by diverse leadership reflective of the entire population.
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