CATHOLIC WOMEN'S LEAGUE FIJI TAKES PEACE VIGIL INITIATIVE TO THE YASAWAS
Suva, Fiji Islands

September 17, 2003 (femLINKpacific) From Thursday (18 September 2003) there will be a flurry of activity at the Lautoka Wharf as representative of parishes from across Fiji, come together for the annual general meeting of the Catholic Women's League Fiji which this year will be staged at Nasomolevu, Vuaki, Yasawa, the home village of the 'League's spiritual adviser, Archbishop Petero Mataca.

According to Mrs. Susana Evening of the Catholic Women's League, it is important for the organization to stage its annual meeting in rural centers, as this enables more women from the surrounding areas to attend; a few years ago the meeting was held in Napuka, Tunuloa in the province of Cakaudrove, and she recounted how touched the Chief Guest at that meeting, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi was, as despite the difficult road conditions, women came together united in a common cause.

What is interesting is that the AGM draws together not only women, as members of the Catholic Women's League, but also men, who will be participants in the range of issue-based programmes organized from the 18th to the 22nd covering topics from CEDAW to Peace. Mrs Evening believes that it is important for men to be included in their programmes, as it provides them an opportunity to learn about issues which are not exclusively for women anyway. By including men from all Christian denominations (residents of the village) in their programmes, the Catholic Women's League is able to highlight policy issues and global commitments at the family level, which is important for many of their members.

The Catholic Women's League has been a 'powerhouse' of the women and peace initiatives since the events of May 2000 and a lead organizations during the "Blue Ribbon peace vigils" and as a member of the Fiji Women, Peace and Security (WPS Fiji) coordinating committee, this Sunday, their Vigil commemoration will take place in the Yasawas.

Mrs Evening will be available on Mobile # 9932686 (c/- Father Iosefo Rokomatu, the Parish priest of Yasawa)

Meanwhile, at a press briefing organized by the WPS Fiji coordinating committee on Monday 15 September, committee chairperson Kiti Makasiale highlighted how the committee represents a positive working model of government and NGO partnership for peace and development since the first regional meeting in October 2001. WPS Fiji is part of UNIFEM Pacific's Women, Peace and Security project for Melanesia, bringing together women from government and NGO sectors in Papua New Guinea/Bouganville, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Fiji working in partnership to address women, peace and security issues.

The WPS Fiji coordinating committee was established on May 14 2003 following a stakeholders meeting in Suva, and is now a sub committee of the Women's Plan of Action task force on Decision Making: "It's an interesting relationship because some of the members of this committee actually sit in the Ministry of Women's task force on Decision Making, and members provide regular updates to the task force, and we are actually connected to the Women's Plan of Action," said Makasiale.

This initiative came about (a global level) with the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution 1325, whereby the Security Council urges member states of the UN, to ensure women's effective participation on any issue of peace and security.

And to commemorate the UN International Day of Peace, the WPS Fiji committee is mobilizing again: "We have decided as a group to celebrate it and we are going to involve everyone - government people, people from the private sector, that we spend one day together reflecting on peace."

Adi Mei Kainona Gauna, the General Secretary of the Soqosoqo Vakamarama I Taukei is the event coordinator stressed that the Peace Vigil is not just an event for and involving women: "Invitations from the Ministry of Women have gone out to (all) members of parliament, government officials and members of the community."

She highlighted that in the brief from the United Nations for the International Day of Peace, the power of prayer has been highlighted as an important action for the day:

"Our programme is very simple and participatory. We are going to have prayers, prayers for the nation and the world, families, and there will be various members of the community share their reflections of peace, speaking in their own languages."

Adi Mei also highlighted that as part of this Sunday's programme, the WPS Fiji coordinating committee will be announcing a creative expressions initiative for young people: "Women Peace and Security through the artistic impressions of Fiji's youth", is the national creative expressions initiative for young people will be launched on Sunday (September 21). The creative expressions (art) competition will be an opportunity for students from primary and secondary schools, as well as young people willing to project their artistic impression of the theme Women Peace and Security. Entries will be displayed during an exhibition coinciding with the 16 days of activism against gender violence (November 25 - December 10).

More competition entry details will be released during the coming weeks.

For more information on the WPS Fiji Vigil Contact: Event Coordinator, Adi Mei Kainona Gauna, Ph 3312199 or femLINKpacific on 9244871