Jalal tall among peers

MINISTER for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Lynda Tabuya is grateful to those, who through their service, become “great role models in promoting gender equality in Fiji and internationally”.

Ms Tabuya said Imrana Jalal stood tall among such women.

She made the comment while applauding Ms Jalal for being awarded the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Medal of Honour by the World Jurists Association.

“She has worked tirelessly towards the realisation of gender equality and women’s empowerment, contributing to the achievement of the SDGs and the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and peace and security,” Ms Tabuya said.

“I have had the great fortune to work under Ms Jalal’s supervision on the consultation process of the Family Law Act 2005.

“She is firm but fair, extremely knowledgeable but kind, and never missed taking a teaching moment.”

She said Ms Jalal was an aspiration not just to women lawyers but for all Fijian women and girls.

“We applaud her for her passion for women’s empowerment, and thank her for breaking many ceilings for women around the world.

“Her tireless efforts in engaging people as well as in her leadership roles to ‘defend and strengthen the rule of law and to consolidate society’s advances in gender equity’ serves as a model for champions of gender equality in Fiji,” Ms Tabuya said.

“I thank Ms Jalal for this great achievement and for being a great role model in promoting gender equality in Fiji and internationally.

“The future belongs to women and girls.”

A lawyer by profession, Ms Jalal once headed the Fiji Women’s Rights Movements and was also a commissioner with the Fiji Human Rights Commission.