The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission is urging the government to enhance systems addressing gender inequality and violence against women and girls. Commission Director Loukinikini Lewaravu acknowledged progress in promoting women’s rights but emphasized that significant challenges, including rising gender-based violence, limited opportunities, and systemic discrimination, still exist.
These remarks were made during the Pacific Technical Cooperation Session of the CEDAW Committee, where the Commission presented several recommendations to achieve greater gender parity. Among these recommendations is the call for the government to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which would empower Fijian women to seek international justice when their rights are violated.
To increase women’s political representation, the Commission also advocates for gender quotas. They propose electoral reforms, leadership training, and campaigns to raise awareness and encourage women’s participation in decision-making roles. Furthermore, they stress the importance of supporting children who cannot attend school due to a lack of birth certificates and enhancing laws against cyberbullying, which disproportionately affects women and girls.
The Commission highlights the necessity for improved awareness surrounding reproductive health, particularly concerning cervical cancer, and for better cancer treatment services in public hospitals. They emphasize the need for stronger enforcement of workplace laws to ensure that women are treated fairly in their employment.
Lewaravu called for improved data collection to guide policymaking in gender equality and urged the government to repeal laws that limit freedoms of association and assembly. The Commission is also advocating for women’s involvement in disaster and climate response initiatives and awareness programs that bridge the connection between human rights, religion, and culture. Adequate government support and resources are paramount for the Commission to effectively fulfill its mandate.
Previous articles have pointed out that while Fiji has made advancements, there remain persistent obstacles, particularly deep-rooted cultural norms and systemic failures that hinder progress in achieving gender equality. However, initiatives like the upcoming Pacific Technical Cooperation Session of the CEDAW Committee offer a unique opportunity for Fiji to showcase its efforts and challenges in promoting women’s rights, reflecting a collective hope for lasting progress in the region.
The hope lies in the joint commitment to fostering essential dialogue on gender equality, highlighting the potential for transformative change for women and girls in Fiji and the broader Pacific Islands.
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