Positive Strides In Gender Equality, Women Empowerment: Minister Vuniwaqa

Fiji has significantly progressed and taken great strides in legal, political, electoral and socio-economic reforms with best practices pertaining to Government’s commitment towards gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa made the statement during the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) working committee meeting held at Novotel Hotel Convention Centre in Lami yesterday.
Ms Vuniwaqa had acknowledged the efforts, commitment and the support of government agencies towards Fiji’s adherence to the international human rights treaty over the past years.
“It takes concerted efforts of the whole government machinery to address discrepancies, discriminatory practices which are still embedded in our society and at different levels of development.
“We cannot do this alone as State actors and strengthening partnerships with non-government organisations, institutions and development partners is crucial, for an effective implementation of the convention in Fiji,” Ms Vuniwaqa said.
She highlighted that in preparation for Fiji’s participation in Geneva, one of the greatest challenges which the ministry encountered was the unavailability of sex disaggregated data or statistics across all government ministries and departments.
“My ministry will continue to review and address the gaps in advancing and upholding human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment in Fiji and this will only be possible through cohesive efforts within the public and private sectors.
“Promoting gender mainstreaming strategies at all levels of government is our priority,” Ms Vuniwaqa said. Edited by Percy Kean
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