An Update from the Fiji Women, Peace and Security Committee

May 2003 – (fem’TALK E-News) On May 14th 2003, 16 years after Fiji experienced its first military coup, women peacemakers, representatives of a range of women’s NGOs, came together under the auspices of UNIFEM Pacific’s Women Peace and Security Project for Melanesia. The daylong meeting was officially opened by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Mr. Rishi Ram, who highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to the project and also commended the work of women’s Peace Initiatives, especially since the events of May 2000. The meeting also included a presentation from the (Shared) Decision Making Task Force of the Ministry of Women, reporting back from the April 24 meeting when agreement was reached to position the WPS Fiji project within the framework of this task force. The participants who all agreed for the need to forge and maintain multi-sector partnerships to achieve the overall goals of the project welcomed this.

The meeting confirmed the WPS Fiji coordinating committee with the Ministry of Women in the chair. The committee includes the following organizations: Soqosoqo Vakamarama I Taukei, National Council of Women Fiji, the Ecumenical Centre for Research, Education and Advocacy (ECREA), Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, Fiji Women’s Rights Movement, Young Women’s Christian Association, Pan Pacific South East Asia Women’s Association – Fiji Chapter (PPSEAWA Fiji), Fiji Association of Women Graduates, Catholic Women’s League, Stri Sewa Sabha, Fiji Council for Disabled Persons. Two working groups have now been established to consider the project objectives and formulate specific programme activities.

An immediate outcome of the WPS Fiji meeting of 14 May was the convening of the Blue Ribbon Peace Vigils by the National Council of Women Fiji which were staged on May 19; this also includes a Peace and Unity radio campaign, produced by the NCWFiji in 2002, and will also enable more community based dialogue amongst women’s groups; The National Council of Women Fiji is responsible for the implementation of this project activity.

For a copy of the may 20 special enews bulletin “women’s voices for peace” please contact femlinkpac@connect.com.fj