Only 45 percent of Fijians reside in villages, while 55 percent inhabit urban areas, according to Lynda Tabuya, Fiji’s Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection. Speaking at the inaugural ministerial forum on gender equality and women’s empowerment held in Lami, she highlighted that over 150,000 individuals live in informal settlements, presenting a significant challenge for the government.
Tabuya pointed out that Lami is home to five informal settlements, including Qauia, the largest settlement in Fiji, which has around 5,000 residents. Despite the population size, many continue to experience poverty and struggle with inadequate infrastructure and unreliable electricity.
The minister noted that crime rates, particularly drug-related offenses, are notably high in these informal and squatter settlements, a situation exacerbated by poverty. She raised concerns about the lack of security plans and tenure for these communities and questioned how to support those displaced.
Tabuya emphasized that women in these informal settlements often bear the brunt of social challenges while trying to maintain stability for their families. She also called on traditional leaders to engage more actively with these communities, asserting that leadership should extend beyond conventional boundaries.
She urged leaders to connect with residents of informal settlements, pointing out that many of these areas still follow traditional organizational structures. Tabuya reminded that the influence of traditional leaders is still prominent in these communities, and their engagement is crucial for meaningful change.