The permanent secretary of the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Heritage, and Culture, Pita Tagicakirewa, emphasized the significance of women assuming traditional and customary roles. He expressed these views during the opening of the Indigenous Women’s Forum at the Suva Civic Centre on Tuesday.
Tagicakirewa stated that the ministry is committed to ensuring women’s inclusion in these roles. He pointed out that there is a prevailing misconception that men are the only ones capable of fulfilling such positions. “The vanua has begun to change. At this year’s Great Council of Chiefs meeting, three women attended,” he noted.
He further highlighted the ministry’s efforts to visit various provinces to promote the importance of women in traditional roles, such as within a tokatoka, mataqali, and yavusa. “We urge for greater engagement and awareness regarding the need to empower and resource more women,” he added. He underscored the necessity of acknowledging the vital contributions of women in society.
In a related development, a two-day Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) training session in Nadi revealed that some provinces adhere to traditional protocols that restrict chiefly positions to men. GEDSI consultant Aliti Vunisea remarked, “Nothing will ever change it.”
Women representatives from Ba Province participated, sharing their experiences and the challenges imposed by the prevailing patriarchal system that often marginalizes their voices.
Vunisea pointed out prominent women leaders, such as Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa and the late Marama na Tui Ba, Adi Laite Koroirua, who have made significant contributions. However, Taraivosa Uluikavoro, representing Vanua o Vitogo, explained that tradition bars women from becoming Tui Vitogo. “Even if the elder sisters are alive, the position goes to their younger brothers,” she stated.
This pattern of exclusion from traditional roles is not unique to Vitogo, as Vunisea noted it exists in other provinces as well. The training included instruction on Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools, providing the women with resources to engage actively in their communities and development initiatives.