Women Back Review of Name Change Policy

Amajority of the women speakers in Labasa have supported the review of the Name Change Policy.

They want to access the right to use both names (birth certificate name and spouse name) for official and other purposes.

All six women speakers spoke during the public consultation for the Northern Division at the Civic Centre premises in Labasa Town.

Five out of six (83.33 per cent) speakers wanted the review of the policy to go ahead while one disagreed.

The public consultation was facilitated in collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation with the Office of the Attorney-General and the Ministry of Justice.

The consultation allowed speakers and the public to suggest their views and ideas they wish to make concerning to the amendment to the Interpretation Act 1967 and Electoral (Registration of Voters) Act 2012 enforced in 2021.

Timiama Peter expressed her content to have the provision of using both names (birth certificate name and spouse name) for various official purposes, adding that both names should be respected for their own needs and significance.

She believed a married woman or person must have the right to decide which name to use for various purposes and was comfortable with her husband’s surname. “The previous rule was confusing and not relevant to our needs, so I thank the Coalition Government for the consultation to change it,” she said.

Merewai Dunadamu, 68, said the presence of both names was ideal to prevent any issues with family and the vanua. The Wainika villager from Udu in Macuata, said from her village women had lent their support for accessibility to both names, in any setting.

Laite Cuyaki said the change was timely and believed come next General Election, women like her could also use their husband’s name for voter card name change.

Ms Cuyaki reiterated family tensions was high when women opted for a name change to disregard the name of the spouse.

During the first consultation on the review of the name change policy, seven people attended.

During the second consultation on the review of Immigration Act 2003, 15 people attended.

Support was received from women attendees during the public consultation on the proposed amendment to the Interpretation Act 1967 and Electoral (Registration of Voters) Act 2012 enforced in 2021.