The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has expressed serious concerns regarding the significant underrepresentation of women in Fiji’s political landscape. In its recent findings, CEDAW urged the Fijian government to take decisive action to address enduring gender disparities within political and public life.
CEDAW noted the scant representation of women in key decision-making roles, including Parliament, senior government positions, local governance, the judiciary, public service, and other sectors like the military and traditional iTaukei leadership. Their statement indicated that the Fijian government should consider implementing quotas and targeted campaign financing to enhance women’s involvement across these areas, particularly in leadership positions.
The committee emphasized the need for political parties to ensure an equal number of female and male candidates on the electoral lists, accompanied by equal ranking, as well as imposing fines for non-compliance. Additionally, measures to protect women politicians and candidates from various forms of harassment, including sexism and online abuse, were strongly recommended. This includes urging political parties to adopt regulations against misogynistic behavior and enhancing accountability for social media platforms regarding sexist content.
The discussion around women’s political representation in Fiji echoes previous conversations held by leaders, including Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica. Rabuka has raised queries about the lack of support among women for female candidates, noting that despite women representing about half of the population, their political representation remains alarmingly low. Kamikamica has previously advocated for a quota system to reverse declining female representation in Parliament, where women’s presence has dropped from 20% in 2018 to just 14% in 2022.
The recent push from civil society groups and ongoing dialogues highlight a hopeful trajectory for Fiji’s political environment. By fostering inclusivity and collaborative efforts to support women in leadership roles, there is potential for transformation. As advocacy continues to grow and initiatives are implemented, Fiji may well be on the path toward a more equitable governance structure that accurately represents the voice and needs of its diverse population.
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