Fiji considers 30% female quota for party nominations

Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa has proposed a 30 percent gender quota for political party nominations in Fiji, aiming to enhance the representation of women in politics. This recommendation, which is part of a draft amendment submitted to the Law Reform Commission, was discussed during the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights meeting addressing the 2022 General Elections Joint Report.

Mataiciwa explained that the proposal arose from an analysis of previous elections, which revealed limited female participation among candidates. She noted that despite some political parties having women’s wings, true empowerment of women within party structures is lacking. The recommendation advocates that at least 30 percent of candidates nominated by political parties should be women.

Rather than rushing into legislative changes, Mataiciwa emphasized the importance of trialing this quota system within political parties to gauge its effectiveness. If successful, it could be implemented in the next general election, offering a practical approach to improve gender parity in political representation.

The proposal aligns with calls from various civil society organizations and advocacy groups like the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement, which have been pushing for electoral reforms to ensure women’s representation in Parliament. Their previous submissions advocated for reserved seats and mandatory party quotas, reflecting a collective urgency to address systemic barriers women face in politics.

Past elections have highlighted a significant drop in female candidates, with representation decreasing from 24 percent in 2018 to just 18 percent in the last general elections. The ongoing discussions signify a hopeful movement towards creating a more inclusive political environment in Fiji, where women’s perspectives and leadership can significantly contribute to national governance.

As these dialogues continue, there is optimism that the implementation of a 30 percent gender quota could stimulate further reforms, empowering women and enriching the political landscape, ultimately leading to a government that truly reflects the diversity of its constituents.