Fiji is ramping up its efforts to bolster women’s leadership and equality, striving to create inclusive spaces for women and girls in all sectors. This commitment was recently underscored by a meeting between Suluweti Rabuka, the wife of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, and United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Safety and Security Unaisi Vuniwaqa at the UN Headquarters in New York. Mrs. Rabuka’s visit highlighted Fiji’s global initiatives aimed at empowering women and celebrated Vuniwaqa’s leadership as a testament to the strength and excellence of women from the Pacific.
The meeting followed Prime Minister Rabuka’s address at a UN High-Level Meeting, marking three decades since the Fourth World Conference on Women. His speech emphasized Fiji’s strides in promoting women’s leadership and addressed the challenges that remain in achieving equal opportunities for women. Mrs. Rabuka’s presence, alongside Amele Tarakinikini, spouse of Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the UN, and key military and police advisors, reinforced the nation’s unwavering commitment to gender equality.
Fiji’s efforts are part of a wider conversation on gender equality happening regionally and internationally. Notably, the recent Pacific Technical Cooperation Session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in Suva, highlighted the need for meaningful female representation. Prime Minister Rabuka has also advocated for moving beyond tokenism and addressing systemic barriers hindering women’s political participation, such as introducing a quota system to boost female representation in Parliament.
Fiji is also actively engaging in international forums, including the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and the United Nations Commission on Population and Development. These platforms have facilitated discussions on Fiji’s advancements in healthcare, education, and entrepreneurship, underscoring the country’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of its people through collaborative efforts.
The recent meeting between Mrs. Rabuka and UN representatives, coupled with Fiji’s continued participation in global dialogues, represents a hopeful trajectory for women’s empowerment and gender equality in Fiji and the wider Pacific region. These initiatives signal a positive outlook toward creating a more inclusive society where women hold significant roles in leadership and governance, setting a strong foundation for future generations.