Government of the Republic of Fiji
Government of the Republic of Fiji
03/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/07/2024 19:14
HON. PM RABUKA’S MESSAGE ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2024
Ni Sa Bula Vina'a,
Today, as we commemorate International Women's Day, I want to reaffirm the commitment of the People's Coalition Government to advance the progress of women and girls in every facet of our development.
Our collective vision for a secure, peaceful, prosperous and stable Fiji can only be achieved if we empower women and girls.
Government initiatives will consider the unique needs, knowledge and potential of women and girls.
This commitment sits solidly in Sustainable Development Goal 5, "to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls," and is critical to our policies on education, finance, legal reform, and other initiatives contributing to the empowerment of women and girls.
In 1995, I led the Fiji Delegation to the Fourth World Conference for Women in Beijing, China.
The SVT Coalition Government I led, signed and committed to targets of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and we also signed the women's rights treaty, CEDAW or the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women.
On our return to Fiji, we prepared the first National Plan for Action for Women (1998-2008) to guide actions in the empowerment of women holistically whereby all stakeholders are required to participate.
This year's theme, "Invest in Women: Accelerate, Progress", resonates deeply with the values and aspirations of your Coalition Government.
We are committed to put into place the necessary initiatives to enhance women's progress in our nation. We recognize the important role played by our women and girls to achieve the goal of a cohesive and progressive society.
Last year, Professor Warden Narsey conducted a study with the Fiji Women's Rights Movement which shed light on both the progress we have made and challenges that must be addressed.
The report acknowledged that despite the phenomenal increase in the number of educated females over the past decade, many women continue to face barriers in fully participating in the labour force, accessing equal pay and access to economic opportunities.
It is unacceptable that, despite our women's increasing achievement in higher education, they still remain unjustly represented in low-income occupation and very few have reached managerial level.
We cannot ignore the stark reality that majority of women are marginalized and living below poverty line.
This is a challenge that demands our urgent attention and action.
The Coalition Government's commitment to empowering women is not just a matter of human rights, but a crucial step towards eradicating poverty and building a more equitable society.
We must ensure that women have equal access to financial resources, business opportunities and the necessary support systems to compete effectively in our labour market.
This is the very reason initiatives such as financial literacy programs, business training sessions, in collaboration with civil society, are critical for success.
These efforts are not just about empowering individual women but creating an enabling environment for a more inclusive and prosperous society.
Acceleration in the progress of women cannot be achieved overnight or in isolation.
We must also address systemic issues that perpetuate gender-based violence and discrimination.
Despite the improvements in the status of women, crimes against women and girls continue to increase at an alarming rate, particularly sexual assault and domestic violence.
I'm pleased to highlight that the Ministry for Women, Children, and Social Protection's dedicated efforts in spearheading Fiji's National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls.
This initiative, which began last year, is aimed at keeping women and girls safe from violence.
Review will be undertaken at the end of this period so that there are necessary adjustments from lessons learnt.
The "National Action to Prevent Violence Against All Women and Girls" has already been allocated F$1.0m from your Government and F$6.0m from the Government of Australia in the implementation of an action plan to prevent violence against women and girls.
We thank the Australian Government, through the Vuvale Partnership arrangement, for the generous support.
This plan is the first of the two 5-year plans that lay the groundwork for Government to prevent violence against women and girls in the long term.
Our women cannot reach their full potential if they are not safe and supported in their homes and communities.
They cannot participate in the workplace and in the community in various capacities if they live under the threat of violence.
To support efforts against violence against women and girls, the Peoples Coalition Cabinet approved the National Shelter Guideline on the 17th of November, 2023. The Guideline is vital because shelters play a crucial role in crisis intervention, supporting women and children when they are at risk of harm.
The guideline has 11 mandatory requirements before they can be operationalized. The saliant features of this guideline include;
i. Compliance with the Fiji National Building Code Regulations 2004;
ii. Certificate of Registration;
iii. Certificate of Operation, and among others.
It is mandatory for all emergency and short to long-term shelters, whether funded privately or publicly, to adhere to this guideline.
As we celebrate International Women's Day, let us recommit ourselves to gender equality.
Let us stand together as one community, united in our determination to empower our daughters, sisters, and mothers.
Only by working together can we truly accelerate progress and build a future where all women and girls in our society can thrive.
Wishing you a meaningful International Women's Day.
Vina'a Va'alevu.
Today, as we commemorate International Women's Day, I want to reaffirm the commitment of the People's Coalition Government to advance the progress of women and girls in every facet of our development.
Our collective vision for a secure, peaceful, prosperous and stable Fiji can only be achieved if we empower women and girls.
Government initiatives will consider the unique needs, knowledge and potential of women and girls.
This commitment sits solidly in Sustainable Development Goal 5, "to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls," and is critical to our policies on education, finance, legal reform, and other initiatives contributing to the empowerment of women and girls.
In 1995, I led the Fiji Delegation to the Fourth World Conference for Women in Beijing, China.
The SVT Coalition Government I led, signed and committed to targets of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and we also signed the women's rights treaty, CEDAW or the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women.
On our return to Fiji, we prepared the first National Plan for Action for Women (1998-2008) to guide actions in the empowerment of women holistically whereby all stakeholders are required to participate.
This year's theme, "Invest in Women: Accelerate, Progress", resonates deeply with the values and aspirations of your Coalition Government.
We are committed to put into place the necessary initiatives to enhance women's progress in our nation. We recognize the important role played by our women and girls to achieve the goal of a cohesive and progressive society.
Last year, Professor Warden Narsey conducted a study with the Fiji Women's Rights Movement which shed light on both the progress we have made and challenges that must be addressed.
The report acknowledged that despite the phenomenal increase in the number of educated females over the past decade, many women continue to face barriers in fully participating in the labour force, accessing equal pay and access to economic opportunities.
It is unacceptable that, despite our women's increasing achievement in higher education, they still remain unjustly represented in low-income occupation and very few have reached managerial level.
We cannot ignore the stark reality that majority of women are marginalized and living below poverty line.
This is a challenge that demands our urgent attention and action.
The Coalition Government's commitment to empowering women is not just a matter of human rights, but a crucial step towards eradicating poverty and building a more equitable society.
We must ensure that women have equal access to financial resources, business opportunities and the necessary support systems to compete effectively in our labour market.
This is the very reason initiatives such as financial literacy programs, business training sessions, in collaboration with civil society, are critical for success.
These efforts are not just about empowering individual women but creating an enabling environment for a more inclusive and prosperous society.
Acceleration in the progress of women cannot be achieved overnight or in isolation.
We must also address systemic issues that perpetuate gender-based violence and discrimination.
Despite the improvements in the status of women, crimes against women and girls continue to increase at an alarming rate, particularly sexual assault and domestic violence.
I'm pleased to highlight that the Ministry for Women, Children, and Social Protection's dedicated efforts in spearheading Fiji's National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls.
This initiative, which began last year, is aimed at keeping women and girls safe from violence.
Review will be undertaken at the end of this period so that there are necessary adjustments from lessons learnt.
The "National Action to Prevent Violence Against All Women and Girls" has already been allocated F$1.0m from your Government and F$6.0m from the Government of Australia in the implementation of an action plan to prevent violence against women and girls.
We thank the Australian Government, through the Vuvale Partnership arrangement, for the generous support.
This plan is the first of the two 5-year plans that lay the groundwork for Government to prevent violence against women and girls in the long term.
Our women cannot reach their full potential if they are not safe and supported in their homes and communities.
They cannot participate in the workplace and in the community in various capacities if they live under the threat of violence.
To support efforts against violence against women and girls, the Peoples Coalition Cabinet approved the National Shelter Guideline on the 17th of November, 2023. The Guideline is vital because shelters play a crucial role in crisis intervention, supporting women and children when they are at risk of harm.
The guideline has 11 mandatory requirements before they can be operationalized. The saliant features of this guideline include;
i. Compliance with the Fiji National Building Code Regulations 2004;
ii. Certificate of Registration;
iii. Certificate of Operation, and among others.
It is mandatory for all emergency and short to long-term shelters, whether funded privately or publicly, to adhere to this guideline.
As we celebrate International Women's Day, let us recommit ourselves to gender equality.
Let us stand together as one community, united in our determination to empower our daughters, sisters, and mothers.
Only by working together can we truly accelerate progress and build a future where all women and girls in our society can thrive.
Wishing you a meaningful International Women's Day.
Vina'a Va'alevu.