Efforts to achieve gender equality often face significant challenges, as articulated by Minister for Women Lynda Tabuya during her address at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference regarding the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) in Bangkok, Thailand. She emphasized that issues such as superficial reports, ineffective leadership, lack of technical know-how, and insufficient accountability frequently hinder progress.
In her statement, Tabuya expressed concern that many initiatives do not adequately meet the realities and needs of local communities, despite Fiji’s commitment to the principles established in the Beijing declaration. She highlighted the progress Fiji has made, noting that female students now represent 57% of graduates in higher education institutions. Additionally, the country has adopted gender-sensitive legislation, improved maternal health services, and increased recognition of the importance of addressing gender-based violence.
Tabuya praised women’s rights organizations in Fiji for their relentless advocacy for justice, equity, and accountability, underscoring their role in protecting the rights of all women and girls. However, she noted that translating these achievements into tangible change for all women remains a significant challenge. Education, she stated, must facilitate not just potential but also ensure real equality, enabling women’s full participation in the economy, equitable access to resources, and greater representation in leadership roles across various sectors.
Despite these accomplishments, Tabuya pointed out that persistent barriers, particularly patriarchal structures and discriminatory social norms, continue to limit opportunities for women and girls in Fiji. She highlighted the disproportionate burden of unpaid care and domestic work that often confines women to informal, low-paying jobs, while also addressing the ongoing issue of gender-based violence and inadequate access to sexual and reproductive health services.
To overcome these challenges, Fiji recognizes the need to tackle interconnected issues that influence gender equality. Tabuya outlined Fiji’s commitment through initiatives like the Fiji Country Gender Assessment and a National Action Plan aimed at preventing violence against all women and girls. She emphasized that the roots of gender-based violence lie in patriarchy, and achieving safety for women necessitates equality in access to resources and opportunities.
Furthermore, she stressed the importance of financial backing for gender-responsive planning and budgeting to ensure that commitments to gender equality are genuinely realized. Without adequate funding and clearly defined policies, efforts towards equality can remain unfulfilled promises. Looking ahead, Fiji plans to launch a five-year gender equality accountability initiative in February 2024 to monitor the implementation of policies and budgets across all sectors with a strong gender-responsive focus.
Tabuya concluded with a call for critical examination of financial and technical partnerships to ensure that the structure and delivery of gender equality initiatives are effectively tailored to make a real impact.
Overall, while significant challenges remain in the pursuit of gender equality in Fiji, the country’s commitment to tangible change and accountability offers hope for continued progress.
Summary: Minister for Women Lynda Tabuya addressed barriers to gender equality during the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference, highlighting Fiji’s challenges and successes. Despite notable progress, such as increased female graduation rates and stronger legislation, persistent issues like patriarchy, unpaid care work, and gender-based violence still undermine efforts. Fiji is committed to addressing these obstacles through new initiatives and focusing on genuine opportunities and resource access for women and girls, aiming for meaningful change in the future.
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