The Great Council of Chiefs Chair, Ratu Viliame Seruvakula, has addressed concerns regarding the inclusion of female representatives from Fiji’s 14 provinces. Although the Great Council of Chiefs Taskforce has recommended that each province should have a female representative, Seruvakula expressed that this requirement is impractical. He clarified that this stance is not due to a lack of desire for women’s representation but is based on specific eligibility criteria outlined in the Council’s Standing Procedure.
Seruvakula explained that to qualify, individuals must not hold any political party position and must be registered in the Vola Ni Kawa Bula as a Turaga ni Vanua, Turaga ni Yavusa, or Turaga ni Mataqali. He added that if a woman serves in one of these capacities, the Council encourages her invitation to the meetings.
When asked if legislative changes could facilitate greater female participation, Seruvakula noted that while legislation is constructed by humans, the determination to adapt existing frameworks is possible. However, he does not anticipate any shifts toward a more neutral representation in the “Bose Levu Vakaturaga” meetings in the near future.
This commentary on inclusivity reflects the ongoing dialogue in various sectors around women’s representation at leadership levels, indicating a growing awareness and push for change. Maintaining momentum around these discussions could foster future changes that support broader inclusivity in leadership roles.
In summary, while there are practical challenges to implementing female representation in the Great Council of Chiefs, there remains hope for evolution in legislative frameworks that could enhance women’s participation in such councils.
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