The Chair of the Great Council of Chiefs, Ratu Viliame Seruvakula, has addressed the Taskforce’s suggestion for each of Fiji’s 14 provinces to have a female representative. He acknowledged the recommendation but expressed practical concerns about its feasibility, highlighting the existing rules that require representatives to have no political party affiliations and to be registered in specific traditional categories.
Seruvakula emphasized that the GCC does not oppose the inclusion of women in its meetings. Instead, he pointed out that any potential female representatives must fit within the criteria outlined in the GCC’s Standing Procedure, which includes being a registered Turaga ni Vanua, Turaga ni Yavusa, or Turaga ni Mataqali. He encouraged communities to consider inviting women who meet these qualifications to attend GCC meetings.
When asked about the possibility of altering legislation to facilitate female representation, Seruvakula noted, “Legislations are man-made, and if there is a will, there is always a way.” However, he also indicated that he does not foresee immediate changes to the council’s traditional structure.
The discourse surrounding the inclusion of women in leadership roles, particularly in traditional councils, reflects a larger societal conversation about gender representation in Fiji. As communities strive for inclusivity, their efforts to empower women in these positions can lead to broader changes within the council.
In summary, while there are practical challenges to increasing female representation in the GCC, there remains a commitment to exploring possibilities that can pave the way for future inclusivity, backed by the notion that change is possible with determination and will. This is a hopeful indication that dialogue on this topic may inspire future reforms.
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