CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS DRAW ATTENTION TO WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY
Suva, Fiji Islands

March 12, 2004 – (femLINKpacific) “This week has been a milestone for us the women of Fiji, whereby we were able to draw attention to our achievements and our concerns and together we came united in our endeavour to promote peace, security and HIV/Aids Free Fiji” said the Assistant Minister for Women, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation, the Honourable Losena Salabula, at the closing of the three day Women, Peace and Security workshop (March 11) which was organized by the Fiji Women, Peace and Security Coordinating Committee in Suva.

The workshop a collaborative effort of WPS Committee members was hosted by the Catholic Women’s League and facilitated by trainers from the Ecumenical Centre for Research, Education and Advocacy, coincided with the national theme forFiji’s International Women’s Day celebrations which began officially inSuvaon March 8th with a march of solidarity:

“I hope you have been empowered through the knowledge gained from this workshop, therefore I would like to challenge each one of us to share with as many persons and communities especially what you have acquired from the workshop. Please continue to advocate for these security issues wherever we are and let us continue to unite in our efforts to address the threats to our security,” said Salabula.

“Women, peace and security has always been part and parcel of women’s lives in various dimensions as widows, as mothers and as care givers to our orphaned grandchildren or our wounded sons and daughters. Therefore what is needed is Government, through our Ministry to give attention to the role women play in times of conflict.”

The workshop brought together close to 30 participants from rural and urban communities, including the Northern and Western Division. It was pleasing to note the presence of young women and men, as well as older men and women from these communities.

‘Thinking globally and acting locally’, the workshop organizers shared information about the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the efforts of the Fiji Women, Peace and Security Coordinating Committee in implementing the resolution at local and national level

“The workshop has been very successful, “said a representative of the organizing committee. It has confirmed the need for our committee to undertake more workshops of this nature in other local communities, as this has been one of the key recommendations from the participants. It has also assisted us in developing local slogans and designs which can also contribute to national peacebuilding and conflict prevention efforts, as well as the committee’s advocacy on 1325”

The workshop also provided the participants an opportunity to express their viewpoints on Peace and Security through artistic expression which included tee shirt designs, peace cards and a peace banner.

femTALK: Sharing the Light, the latest community video production from femLINKpacific, was also screened during the workshop to extremely positive response, and several of the participants adopted the slogan “Sharing the Light for Peace and Unity inFiji” for their designs using symbols of the ‘diya’ and a candle.

At the artwork will now be on display at the Women’s Expo at the Suva Civic Centre.

The National Celebrations will conclude tomorrow with a closing ceremony at the Women’s Expo. The Chief Guest will be the Minister for Women, and the programme will include presentations from participants at the workshops conducted throughout the week in a “women speak out” session on the Women, Peace and Security, HIV/Aids, CEDAW and Life skills. The programme will commence at 1045am.

Note: Pictures and video footage of the March of Solidarity and workshops are available from femLINKpacific (Phone 3316290 / 9244871)