In the effort to expedite gender development in Fiji, the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation will embark on new areas of collaboration with its stakeholders.
“The Bainimarama-led government through its laws and policies is committed to making gender equality a reality”, said the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Hon Rosy Akbar said. “The Ministry is in process of reviewing its current Memorandum of Understanding with the Fiji Police Force to address the gaps in the implementation of various Decrees namely the Domestic Violence Decree and Child Welfare Decree. This would strengthen the work around combatting of violence against women and children.”
“Likewise, the Ministry will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Ministry of I-Taukei Affairs to ensure a more targeted approach in addressing women’s economic empowerment. Similarly a Memorandum of Understanding will also be signed with faith-based organisations to collaboratively address gender-based violence within non-I-Taukei communities,” Minister Akbar said.
The Minister reiterated that work in solidarity is essential towards gender advancement in Fiji.
“The women of Fiji cannot wait to welcome the success of the gender initiative. With the support of its partners, the Ministry will work diligently to ensure the effective implementation of Fiji’s National Gender Policy, which will involve gender mainstreaming through gender sensitization of the whole of government machinery.
“This will be achieved by working together with wide range of partners particularly the women’s NGOs, private sectors, faith based organisations and development partners. Our children and young people cannot be singing this same song of lack of progress on the Beijing Platform for Action, 20 years from today. We owe it to them to make it happen during our time in leadership and leave a rich legacy of commitment with action.
“It is a strong mandate to enable us to work together to progress gender development. The Ministry acknowledges the international development partners for their continued support through funding and technical assistance. I also thank our corporate partners and women’s NGO partners for being there when the Ministry needs them,” Minister Akbar explained.