DEFINING OUR PEACE AND SECURITY NEEDS
Suva, Fiji Islands

March 9, 2004 – (femLINKpacific) At the Women and Peace workshop that got underway in Suva today (09 March) participants began working out their personal definitions of peace and security. Workshop trainer/facilitator Henry Rigamoto, was overwhelmed by the knowledge and experiences shared: “I have been involved in a number of peacebuilding workshops through the Ecumenical Centre (ECREA) and also in my work as Coordinator of Interfaith Search Fiji, but today I am totally overwhelmed by today’s very positive and inspiring discussions. They have recognised their role in ensuring peace and security at a personal, local and national level, and that means that this is a very important empowerment process because they are also recognising the power and knowledge within oneself and ones community to be peace builders, to assist in conflict prevention and conflict resolution.”

Rigamoto noted, however, that whilst participants have articulated their human security needs there is still a need to demystify the word security – and to put it in a national security context which is relevant to the public, and not just security and defence personnel.

Participants from rural and urban communities, women and men, young and old make up the thirty-something participants at the workshop at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Crypt which has been convened by the Catholic Women’s League and the Ecumenical Centre for Research Education and Advocacy, member organisations of the Fiji Women, Peace and Security Coordinating Committee (WPS CC).

It is part of a series of workshops being staged in Suva coinciding with the commemoration of the national theme for this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration “Women United for Peace and Security and an HIV/Aids free Fiji”.

The workshop will have ‘creative expressions’ as outcomes of the 3 day programme. This is all part of the WPS CC aim to produce a range of symbols and images to help them in facilitating more local workshops as it works towards developing a cadre of women peacebuilders, as well as create workshop and display material which has local relevance.

The workshop will also provide recommendations for follow up action to the Fiji Women, Peace and Security Coordinating Committee for incorporation into this year’s programme of activities.

Meanwhile, in Suva yesterday (08 March) the IWD celebrations were launched by the Minister for Justice and the Attorney General, (Senator) Qoroniasi Bale, at the Suva Civic Centre, yesterday following a march of solidarity through the city of Suva, led by the Minister for Women, Adi Asenaca Caucau.

Women from all walks of life from a range of women’s and civil society groups, including youth groups as well as women with disabilities, participated in this march which commemorated the start of a range of local and national activities for the week.

In his launch address, Bale noted the importance of this year’s theme, as peace and security are critical ingredients for national development which can be achieved if all citizens practice tolerance and respect for each other. He also reminded the audience that Fiji remains vulnerable to peace and security instabilities:

“I would be lying if I claim that we in Fiji do not have this problem. We do face these insecurities on a daily basis. We have a cancerous growth that can destroy us unless we all take part in curbing it immediately. These insecurities are present in our nation, in our communities and in our homes.”

He also noted that Peace and Security has a gender dimension which needs to analysed and addressed. Citing UN Security Council Resolution 1325, Bale also acknowledged that work of UNIFEM as a lead agency in ensuring gender concerns are integrated into all aspects of peace and security especially through the Women, Peace and Security Project for Melanesia:

“For us in Fiji this message means that the international community now recognises that women must play a part in the economic, political and social reconstruction or development of our nation.”

He added that there was a need to recognise the range of roles women play during times of peace and conflict: “As a nation we now realise that in times of conflict women keep the social fabric together, tending to the sick and wounded, replacing dislocated services and maintaining the economic life line of society. Actual participation of women in the front line has also become an increasing phenomenon.”

Bale acknowledged the role of women’s peace vigils following the political upheaval of 19 May 2000, as well as the work of the Women, Peace and Security coordinating committee (WPS CC) in building on these initiatives, since its establishment in May 2003.

He advised the audience, that as Acting Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration and National Disaster Management, he has received the report from the National Security Defence Review Commission. Both the National Council of Women Fiji and the WPS CC submitted recommendations to the review committee.

The national IWD celebrations for Fiji will culminate with a closing ceremony at the "Women's Expo" at the Lower Civic Centre in Suva commencing at 1045am on Saturday 13 March, whilst an ecumenical service will be hosted by the Catholic Women's League at 3pm on Sunday 14 March at the Raiwaqa Catholic Church.