Joint Partnership For Open Dialogue

The National Gender Policy requires the establishment of the Fiji Women’s Federation as an advisory body to the Minister for Women.

This is now done through the formation of the Minis- ter Women’s Forum which brings together all stakeholders who can contribute to women’s empowerment and gender equality.

The Minister Women’s Forum chaired by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa was officially opened at the Novotel Suva Lami Bay yesterday.

The forum creates an environment for engagement and collaboration between the Minister and Civil Society, Non-Government Organisations (NGO’s), women’s groups and faith based organisations.

“This forum is an avenue for open dialogue and for the strengthening of partnership between all of you and my Ministry,” Ms Vuniwaqa said.

“I would like to hear of the challenges and the issues that you face in your work and also the challenges faced by the women that you work with.

“This is the forum where you can tell me how my Ministry is performing and what we can do to better the services we provide.”

Meanwhile, Programme Director for the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) Kaushal Sharma said discussions throughout the week will look at a number of policies.

“It is a way of connecting the voices, experiences and deep realities of women at ground level to the Government, so that policies enforced are better informed and better reflect and respond to the needs of women across all levels,” Ms Sharma said.

Edited by Susana Tuilau

Feedback: neelam.prasad@fijisun.com.fj