The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) and the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) have taken a stand for reforms aimed at boosting women’s involvement in politics. During their joint submissions to the Fiji Law Reform Commission, they highlighted numerous systemic obstacles that prevent women from effectively participating in the political arena.
FWRM Board Chair Akanisi Nabalarua and FWCC Manager Miliana Tarai presented several critical recommendations to foster a more inclusive political landscape. These reforms have received widespread backing from civil society organizations and non-governmental entities, including Empower Pacific and the Young Women’s Christian Association. Supporters are expected to increase in the coming days, reflecting a collective desire for change.
Central to their submission is the need for increased financial and logistical support for women candidates in election campaigns. The organizations are also advocating for enhanced civic education initiatives that empower voters and promote women’s leadership, alongside addressing the societal norms that restrict women’s participation in politics.
Additionally, the joint submission stresses the importance of stronger laws to safeguard women from violence, harassment, and bullying, emphasizing the critical role of the media in representing women fairly in political contexts. The organizations are calling for partnerships among political parties, governmental bodies, media outlets, and women’s rights organizations to combat gender bias in media reporting.
One of the pivotal recommendations includes establishing a system of 30 percent reserved parliamentary seats for women, seen as part of a broader commitment to legal reforms that support women throughout their political journey.
These calls for reform resonate with earlier discussions led by Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica, who also emphasized the dire need to address women’s underrepresentation in Fiji’s Parliament. During a recent training workshop for aspiring women candidates, Kamikamica noted the troubling decline in women’s parliamentary representation from 20% in 2018 to just 14% after the last elections.
The push for these reforms heralds a hopeful perspective for women in Fiji, highlighting the potential for enhanced political engagement that could lead to more representative governance. Combined efforts advocating for systemic changes and support structures promise a brighter future where women can play essential roles in shaping the nation’s political direction.
Leave a comment