Only 45 percent of Fijians reside in villages, while the remaining 55 percent live in urban areas, according to Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya. Speaking at the inaugural ministerial forum on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in Lami, she highlighted that over 150,000 individuals are living in informal settlements, posing significant challenges for the government.
Ms. Tabuya pointed out that Lami has five informal settlements, with Qauia being the largest in Fiji, housing around 5,000 residents who continue to struggle with poverty and inadequate infrastructure such as electricity. She noted that these informal and squatter settlements are facing the highest rates of drug-related offenses, driven further by poverty.
The minister posed critical questions about the support available for those displaced in these areas, emphasizing the lack of security and stability that impacts their daily lives. She remarked on the heavy burden women in these settlements bear as they tackle various social issues while striving to maintain order in their communities.
Furthermore, Ms. Tabuya called on traditional leaders to engage more with residents of these informal settlements, acknowledging the ongoing organizational structures based on traditional practices. She challenged these leaders to extend their influence and support to those living in informal squatter settlements, stressing that traditional rules and leadership still apply in these communities.