Village women call to be included in decision making

The women of Kubulau district in Bua have pleaded for inclusion in various decision making.

A district meeting at Namalata Village heard a plea last week for village leaders to always inform women about district and village meetings.

The plea came after concerns that women leaders had been forgotten and not informed about such meetings in the past.

Speaking on behalf of the women’s association Viliame Balenasuva of Namatala Village, said his wife only found out about the district meeting from a relative. Mr Balenasuva questioned district leaders on channels that were followed to inform reps of district meetings.

He pleaded with the district leaders to ensure that all reps and groups were informed so they could attend the meeting.

He added that such meetings were very important and provided a platform for women, youths and village headmen to raise their issues.

“It is a known fact that men still dominate many aspects of our national life. It continues to influence perceptions about the roles of males and females,” Mr Balenasuva said.

“In many of our committees, men still rule. While changes are happening, the rate of change needs to

In many of our committees men still rule. While changes are happening, the rate of change needs to be accelerated Viliame Balenasuva Namatala Villager speaking on behalf of Kubulau Women’s Association

be accelerated.

“In some of our cultures, it is an accepted practice that women are subservient to men. They are not allowed to speak in a meeting and eat before the men in a meal. “They are expected to observe a strict dress code as opposed to their male counterparts. “Women are important when it comes to decision making because they are the foundation of the household. Women are needed to be informed of any upcoming meetings and what’s happening in the tikina of Kubulau.” Mr Balenasuva said gender perceptions of male and female roles in society were so deeply entrenched in everyday life that they had become social norms.