Coverage of Opening of National Consultation on Women and Decision Making

November 15, 2004 -(femLINKpacific) Gender imbalances remain at all levels of decision making despite global commitments through the Beijing Platform for Action, the Millennium Development Goals and at regional level, the revised Pacific Platform for Action. Even despite the targets set at national level, through the Women’s Plan of Action and the Fiji Government’s Strategic Development Plan, which sets a 50% target to women in decision making positions, says the National Council of Women Fiji (NCWFiji) as it hosts a four day multi stakeholders consultation on Women in Decision Making, which got underway in Nadi today (15 November):

“NCWFiji is proud to say that the Women in Politics programme has been a priority since 1994 and we look forward to the outcomes of the consultation as we map a way forward to achieve the goals of gender equality in decision making,” said President Titilia Naitini.

According to Naitini, despite a 50% target in1993 by cabinet commitment,Fijiis yet to meet this target and this consultation will identify tangible strategies for the next 3 to 5 years through which to achieve these targets.

The objectives of the consultation, which is being undertaken here in Fiji, as part UNIFEM Pacific’s regional Women in Politics programme, aims to:

- bring together decision makers within government, non-government organisations, and development partners for open and constructive dialogue on the National Plan of Action for Women in Shared Decision Making

- conduct an assessment of efforts and achievement in order to analyse progress and status of institutional support for women’s political participation by major actors and organisations.

The consultation which began today was opened by Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi.

Speaking on the topic “Advancing the role of women in decision making” he set the scene for the formulation for a National Plan of Action for Women in Shared Decision Making, stating from the outset that while the recognition of women as equals is enshrined in international law such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimation (CEDAW), as well in the 1997 Constitution of Fiji, the practical reality does not match the rhetoric in Fiji’s political life.

Citing the tradition, culture, as well as religious beliefs, as some of the clear obstacles to change, he encouraged the participants to consider creating a framework which would encourage greater participation in political activity by women:

“You form half the population you are the homemakers, and wage and salary earners you are individuals and human beings with your own thoughts, feelings and perspectives. Quite simply you have a right to be heard. Development in that right is a right to lead and participate in decisions, they affect you, and yet your voices are not sufficiently heard because there’s not enough of you to reflect your opinions.”

Despite the current limitations, he urged women to continue in their quest to share in the decision making of their country:
“Profound and meaningful change often requires conflict do not be afraid. Your course is just in (that) your sisters who are unable, unwilling to participate owing to various constraints repose their hopes and dreams in you.”

Madraiwiwi also voiced his disappointment that neither the two major political parties encourage or promote the broader participation of women in a meaningful way, especially as there is no program in place to promote the nomination of women candidates:

“Both are heavily dominated by males. The SDL has at least three females members of parliament. (Even though) both parties has given women prominence the SDL government has three women cabinet ministers and two assistant ministers while the President of the Fiji Labour party is a women, However it is in my view tokenism. The Fiji Labour party has itself although a progressive party has no women members in parliament in the House of Representatives, they all hold grace and further positions in the senate.”

Madraiwiwi noted that the few women who have attained parliamentarian positions have done so on merit an indication of the in build disadvantages or advantages that male candidates have over them:

“The ambivalence of the major political parties needs to be carefully scrutinized, analysed and remedial measures put in place. Of course the most practical message over ten year goal is the use of quotas.”

A quota system or even an affirmative action programme for the equal participation in women in decision making should also be considered by the consultation, as a way to effectively address the range of obstacles women face in entering the political sphere:

“There is no consensus of course on the issue (of quotas) those that oppose say that it makes a mockery of the principle of equality of opportunity. The answer to that is affirmative action if needed in particular field to reverse ethnic disadvantage. Its application to further gender balance is just as appropriate.”

As the consultation continues, participants are now reflecting on the key points of this morning’s keynote address, taking into account not only the need to establish agreed or common goals, but also setting definite timelines with regular monitoring mechanisms in place, to forge strategic alliances, without compromising their values of equality.

As Madraiwiwi expressed, it is not an easy task, as they address the imbalances in what is definitely one of the last bastions of male domination, decision making in all levels of society and equal participation in the political domain.

From: From: "femLINKpacific:Media Initiatives for Women" <femlinkpac@connect.com.fj>