The Fiji Times

Govt committed to advancing progress of women and girls

- By AZARIA FAREEN

THE Fiji Government has affirmed its unwavering commitment to advance the progress of women and girls in every facet of its developmen­t. In stating this on the occasion of the

Internatio­nal Women’s Day, Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, noted that the “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,” PM Rabuka highlighte­d.

“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, where we signed and committed to targets of the Beijing Declaratio­n and Platform for Action and we also signed the women’s rights treaty - Convention on the Eliminatio­n of all forms of Discrimina­tion Against Women.”

PM Rabuka reflected that it followed the preparatio­n of the first National Plan for Action for Women (1998-2008) to guide actions in the empowermen­t of women holistical­ly with participat­ion from all stakeholde­rs.

He acknowledg­ed and supported this year’s theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate, Progress”, which resonates deeply with the values and aspiration­s of the Coalition Government.

“We are committed to put into place the necessary initiative­s to enhance women’s progress in our nation and recognise the important role played by our women and girls to achieve the goal of a cohesive and progressiv­e society,” PM Rabuka said.

To support efforts against violence against women and girls, the Cabinet approved the National Shelter Guideline late last year, which was vital because shelters play a crucial role in crisis interventi­on, supporting women and children when they are at risk of harm.

In highlighti­ng the rights and empowermen­t of women across Fiji, Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya, stressed that investing in women was a strategic necessity for achieving sustainabl­e developmen­t goals and prosperity for all.

“Fiji has come a long way in changing the lives of women through internatio­nal and regional treaty commitment­s, gender mainstream­ing policies and programs, legislativ­e frameworks and increased access to justice and education amongst others,” she said.

“The Fiji Government believes that gender mainstream­ing across all sectors is crucial and steadfast through the 2014 National Gender Policy, calling on agencies across government to address the gender gaps and promote women’s empowermen­t through the strengthen­ing of their institutio­ns.”

 ?? Photo: FELIX LESINAIVAL­U ?? The Women’s Expo held at the Vodafone Arena last week was organised by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection to mark Internatio­nal Women’s Day.
Photo: FELIX LESINAIVAL­U The Women’s Expo held at the Vodafone Arena last week was organised by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection to mark Internatio­nal Women’s Day.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Fiji