National Consultation on Women in Decision Making Starts Monday

November 11, 2004 –(femLINKPacific) The National Council of Women Fiji (NCWFiji) is looking forward to analysing
and building on its work in the area of women in politics and women in decision making, as it hosts a four day multi stakeholders consultation on Women in Decision Making, in Nadi next week. The consultation which begins on Monday (November 15) at the Tanoa Hotel in Nadi will be opened by Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi at 10am.

According to the NCWFiji, this consultation is a timely opportunity for decision makers within government, non-governmental organisations, academic, and development partners to undertake open and constructive dialogue on realizing the commitments made to women and decision making:

“During the four days we hope that as the participants hear about the success stories, learn from the hardship, we can collectively address the challenges and account for our crucial role as decision makers, in all levels of Fiji society,” says Secretary of the NCWFiji, Mavis Toganivalu-Clerk:

“In doing so, not only will we analyse progress, opportunities and obstacles to women's political participation, but also think about how we can contribute to the long term sustainable development of our Fiji Islands through a The National Plan of Action for Women in Shared Decision Making”

The National Council of Women commenced its Women in Politics (WIP) programme activities in 1994 when they received funding from the Tides Asia Foundation. Since then with additional assistance from NZAID, as well as AUSAid, they have strived to continue the initial ission of the WIP Project, which aimed to get more women elected / appointed to Fiji's Parliament and to local government Institutions and policy-making statutory boards and committees:

“Since 1994, much has taken place to create an enabling environment for women in Fiji to share in the decision making of our country. From the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), to the Beijing Platform for Action, the unanimous adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 titled “Women, Peace and Security”, the Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality (2005–2015) and the recently revised Pacific Platform for Action, and not forgetting the Fiji Government’s own National Women’s Plan of Action and the 50% commitment to women in decision making in the Government’s Strategic Development Plan, the scene is set, to transform commitment into living proof, “ says Tabua Salato-Prasad, Coordinator of the NCWFiji, who has also been a active voter education trainer in the WIP project.

The United Nations has, through the International Conferences on Women in Mexico (1975), in Copenhagen (1980), in Nairobi (1985), in Beijing (1995) and the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly - Beijing +5 (2000) called for greater support for participation of women in all aspects of the electoral process and in power and decision-making positions.

The Beijing Platform for Action affirms that "women have the equal right to participate in governance and that the empowerment, autonomy and full citizenship of women are essential for their advancement in other spheres of life and for the more transparent and accountable governance"

The four day “Women in Decision Making” consultation agenda includes:
Assessment and Review of Women’s Political Participation, including an update on Fiji statistics and data on women’s participation at national and local decision making levels, as well as participation in government boards and committees
A History of Women’s Participation in Politics in Fiji Strengthening Information and Communication Networking
Addressing the review of the Fiji Women in Politics Programme Sharing Women’s Experiences as Aspiring Politicians Creating an enabling environment for gender equality Public education and civic awareness Special measures such as Women’s Quotas Lobbying and Advocacy.

The outcome of the meeting, which is being funded by UNIFEM Pacific will be a national plan of action and strategies for the future Fiji Women in Politics and Women in Shared Decision Making.

From: femlinkpac@connect.com.fj