The Minister for Women, Children And Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar delivered her Statement at the launching of the upcoming report on ‘Government’s Responses To Covid-19 - Lessons On Gender Equality For A World In Turmoil’. This virtual report launch was organised by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in New York.
Minister Akbar said the Fijian Government is very proud of the recognition that Fiji has received through the report for being successful in integrating gender based violence measures across COVID-19 pandemic responses and plans. “The Fijian Government would like to congratulate the UN Women and UNDP on the release of the global report on ‘TRACKING GENDER EQUALITY IN GOVERNMENT RESPONSES TO COVID-19’ and we acknowledge UN Women and UNDP for their continued efforts in moving towards the goal of gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls”.
While speaking at the launching of the report, Minister Akbar said that the Fijian Government formed a COVID-19 Response Gender Working Group. “The Working Group was led by the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation and included representatives of civil society and women’s rights organizations as well as UN Women. The Working Group developed a Gender and COVID-19 Guidance Note in early May 2021 and this was noted by Cabinet. It highlighted the gendered impacts of COVID-19 in Fiji on selected sectors and important issues such as violence against women and girls (VAWG) with brief analysis and recommendations”.
Minister Akbar stated that the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Working Group has been formed under the Fiji Safety and Protection Cluster to rapidly advance prevention and response to violence against women and girls during emergencies in partnership with frontline service providers. “The GBV Working Group rapidly developed information, education, and communication materials such as resource kits and virtual trainings for frontline health care workers, community workers and helpline, social welfare and other frontline GBV responders during COVID-19 and Tropical Cyclone emergency response periods. We also developed a national Gender Based Violence prevention communication campaign developed, starting with text messages sent to all mobile phone users across Fiji; and Prevention and GBV services messages from national and community leaders to be shared through radio, television and online during the 16 days campaign in November; as well as posters, stickers and other materials”.
Minister Akbar explained that Fiji is implementing the National Service Delivery Protocol and is well positioned to provide coordinated responses to ensure the provision of appropriate, timely and quality services for victims and survivors of gender based violence. “The Protocol guides the work of the Gender Based Violence service providers, ensuring a standard of care that promotes safety, confidentiality, non-discrimination, respect, strong accountability and zero tolerance for violence”.
Minister Akbar acknowledged that Fiji was addressed the high rates of violence against women. “The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation (MWCPA) continues its efforts to lead the consultation and development of a five-year (2022-2027) whole of government National Action Plan to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls, making it the first Pacific Island Country and one of the only two countries globally, to have a whole of government, inclusive, evidence-based approach to prevent violence against all women and girls. The consultations for the National Action Plan moved forward in 2021 virtually during the pandemic, continuing engagement and awareness across multiple sectors and settings”, she added.
“I thank the UN WOMEN AND UNDP for recognising the Fijian Government’s efforts to prevent gender based violence and its commitment in working closely with Fijian women, men, boys and girls as well as many experts and individuals and organisations, to tackle this blight in Fiji”, she said.
“It is not only key to initiate the work rapidly in response to a crisis, but it is also crucial to move strategically; and most importantly in coordination, collaboration, and partnership with all relevant stakeholders in particular women’s rights and community based organizations. There is no single fixed solution or plan that will erase the entrenched and often unconscious systems of gender bias in our societies; there must be many fixes, tailored to the specific conditions that prevail in each country and each region”.
The report can be found online at https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2022/06/government-responses-to-covid-19-lessons-on-gender-equality-for-a-world-in-turmoil