Fiji’s Political Landscape Divided Over Women’s Quotas

The Kingdom Future Party in Fiji has expressed strong opposition to the idea of reserving seats for women in Parliament. General Secretary Paul Morrel described the proposal as “unfair and unnecessary,” arguing that positions in Parliament should be awarded based on merit rather than gender. During a public consultation hosted by the Fiji Law Reform Commission in Navua, Mr. Morrel stated, “You get voted into Parliament not because of your gender, but because you’ve earned your place.”

While acknowledging the capabilities of women as leaders, Morrel emphasized that they should gain seats through the same democratic process as men. He cautioned that introducing gender-based quotas could potentially open the door for other minority groups to demand similar privileges, a move he believes could complicate governance in the future.

This stance comes amid broader discussions in Fiji regarding women’s representation in politics, where calls for supporting female candidates have intensified. Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica has advocated for a quota system following troubling statistics that show women’s parliamentary representation declining from 20% in 2018 to just 14% after the 2022 elections, despite a higher turnout of women voters.

Amid these contrasting views, it’s essential to recognize the ongoing efforts to address women’s underrepresentation in Fiji’s political environment. Advocates for women’s inclusion, such as organizations like FemLINKPacific and various political leaders, continue to call for reforms that facilitate improved representation of women in governance. Proposed measures include mentorship programs, financial assistance, and systemic support to combat barriers like gender-based violence and societal norms.

As dialogues evolve, these discussions reflect a collective desire for a more inclusive political landscape in Fiji, indicating a hopeful trajectory towards empowering women to actively participate in shaping policies that affect their communities. The engagement between opposing views emphasizes the necessity for constructive discourse in addressing gender equality in politics.