Ratuva: iTaukei Poverty a National Issue
The issue of boys on the streets of Suva City sniffing glue and committing crimes is sad and indicative of bigger social, economic and political dilemmas.
The sentiment was shared by award-winning political sociologist and global interdisciplinary scholar, Professor Steven Ratuva. Professor Ratuva is the University of Canterbury in New Zealand Pro-Vice Chancellor Pacific. He said about 75 per cent of those in poverty were iTaukei which was a national issue, not just iTaukei issue.
“Neglect of the poorer sections of our community, broken families, lack of opportunities and dilapidated systems of wellbeing support has contributed to these,” Professor Ratuva said. “The development focus in the past has been on macro-economic growth and corporate profitmaking and this has overshadowed the structural inequalities and marginalisation of our vulnerable groups.
“The problem is structurally endemic and no amount of cash transfer can solve it.
“It is time to relook at our broader development and equity strategies with more focus on
The development focus in the past has been on macroeconomic growth and corporate profitmaking and this has overshadowed the structural inequalities and marginalisation of our vulnerable groups. Professor Steven Ratuva. University of Canterbury in New Zealand Pro-Vice Chancellor Pacific.
the neglected rural sector and providing opportunities for the urban poor.
“The problem of an ethnic group will impact other ethnic groups so we are in this together as a nation,” he said.