Fiji’s ongoing push to prevent violence against women and girls across all diversities is framed as not only a moral imperative but a critical economic strategy. A government minister told Parliament that reducing gender-based violence and addressing entrenched inequities could save about 300 million in economic costs, roughly 6.6 percent of the country’s GDP. Minister Sashi Kiran of the Ministry for Women, Children and Social Protection underscored that gender inequality and power imbalances remain core barriers to women’s full economic participation.
Weaving together national, regional, and international commitments, the Women’s Economic Empowerment National Action Plan (WEENAP) is designed to advance gender equality while aligning with Fiji’s broader development objectives. These commitments include the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against all Women and Girls. The plan also supports Fiji’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability, the Beijing Platform for Action, and regional declarations on gender equality.
Kiran highlighted that women across the country—whether in rural, urban, or maritime communities—are central to economic activity. In agriculture, fisheries, tourism, handicrafts and MSMEs, women support food security, production, processing and market access. In health, education and social services, women serve as essential workers and caregivers, contributing to national wellbeing and human capital development. Yet, as with many economies, leadership and decision-making remain skewed. Women hold a minority share of leadership roles, with only about 21 percent of board seats held by women and men occupying roughly six of every seven chief executive positions. This disparity underscores the need for reforms that promote women’s access to credit, entrepreneurship, and governance opportunities.
To accelerate progress, Fiji is pursuing gender-responsive budgeting to ensure public resources reflect the needs of women and girls. In parallel, the government has signaled a strong, forward-looking commitment to elevating women’s leadership and participation in business and governance, while addressing unpaid care work that often anchors women’s contributions but remains undervalued.
In a related development, Cabinet has endorsed Fiji’s inaugural National Action Plan for Women’s Economic Empowerment from 2025 to 2030. The plan focuses on four areas: equitable employment and training, support for women-led enterprises, improved access to funding, and stronger health and well-being supports for women. The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection will coordinate the plan’s implementation across ministries, reinforcing the government’s ongoing drive to close gender gaps in leadership and economic participation.
Across the board, International Women’s Day activities and related discourse have reaffirmed the theme For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment. Leaders have called for greater involvement of men and boys as partners in dismantling stereotypes, respecting women’s rights, and strengthening women’s participation in governance and business. The conversation has also highlighted the importance of recognizing unpaid care work, expanding financial literacy for women, and strengthening mentorship and leadership pipelines. Initiatives from the private sector, including women’s leadership networks and workforce diversification, are cited as key enablers of broader social and economic progress.
Positive trends are evident, including rising female participation in leadership and entrepreneurship, and a growing policy emphasis on gender-responsive budgeting. If sustained, these efforts could help broaden economic participation, boost productivity, and enhance social resilience—benefiting families and communities as Fiji pursues an inclusive, prosperous future.
What this means for Fiji
– Economic impact: Preventing violence and reducing gender inequality are linked to meaningful economic gains, with a reported potential saving of 300 million in costs, equivalent to 6.6% of GDP.
– Leadership and governance: Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles; ongoing reforms aim to improve representation on boards and in executive positions.
– Policy framework: WEENAP and the 2025–2030 National Action Plan align national strategy with international commitments, guiding budgeting and resource allocation toward gender equality.
– Social protection: Strengthened programs for health, education, and social services, coupled with support for women-led businesses, are designed to bolster resilience and economic inclusion.
Summary of key points
– Preventing violence against women and girls is framed as an economic strategy with substantial potential savings.
– WEENAP aligns Fiji’s gender goals with SDGs, CEDAW, CRPD and regional declarations.
– Women contribute significantly across sectors but remain underrepresented in leadership; gender-responsive budgeting is advancing.
– A National Action Plan for 2025–2030 will guide four priority areas to boost women’s economic empowerment.
– International Women’s Day discourse emphasizes male partnership, unpaid care work, mentorship, and women’s leadership.
Additional comments
– The alignment of WEENAP with global commitments signals a cohesive, long-term strategy rather than isolated policies. This coherence can help attract international partners and funding for gender-focused programs.
– Businesses should note the ongoing emphasis on women’s leadership and access to capital as signals to strengthen diversity programs, mentorship, and inclusive governance.
– Given the evidence of economic gains tied to gender equality, ongoing data collection and transparency on board representation, senior leadership, and funding outcomes will be important to track progress and adjust policies as needed.
Overall, Fiji’s approach reflects a comprehensive, optimistic trajectory toward greater gender equality and a more inclusive economy, with concrete policy instruments and measurable targets guiding the work ahead.
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