Leila Gonewai
Rural Fijian Women in a Pandemic

Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities

Nothing about us without us; is more than a slogan for Monisha Rao—it is her firm call to

action as she passionately advocates for inclusivity for persons with disabilities.

Monisha has been with the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons; Labasa Branch for

over 12 years. While reflecting on the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, she

emphasized,

“If you want to know about us (the challenges of disability), you have to come into our shoes”.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is commemorated annually on December

3rd . We highlight the day as part of the advocacy for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-

Based Violence. This year’s theme, “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for

an Inclusive and Sustainable Future”; highlights the critical need for the inclusion of persons

with disabilities in decision-making processes.

Monisha acknowledges some progress, such as the requirement for representation of

persons with disabilities on village committees, advancements in inclusive education, and

improvements in disability allowances. However, she stresses that much more needs to be

done, particularly in ensuring accessibility.

Accessibility, Monisha explains, benefits not just persons with disabilities but also the

elderly, expectant mothers, and those who are unwell. She notes that making towns and

public spaces, such as supermarkets, accessible would provide persons with disabilities the

freedom to make their own choices—like independently shopping for their goods—instead

of relying on others.

Healthcare accessibility also remains a significant concern. Monisha highlights that the

dental clinic at Labasa Hospital is not accessible for persons with physical impairments.

Carers must physically carry patients to the clinic, creating unnecessary hardship.

Additionally, the absence of interpreters for the deaf at hospitals makes it difficult for them

to communicate their health concerns, often leading to misdiagnoses or improper

prescriptions.

Monisha advocates for disability-friendly infrastructure in future development plans,

emphasizing that while older buildings may be harder to modify, new buildings must cater

to the needs of persons with disabilities.

To address inclusivity, Monisha stresses the importance of involving persons with disabilities

in decision-making. “Nothing about us without us,” she reiterates, emphasizing that those

directly affected are best equipped to articulate the challenges they face, such as

communication barriers and accessibility issues. She also highlights the need to dispel

stereotypes, such as the misconception that physical disabilities are often accompanied by

mental disabilities, reinforcing the importance of their active participation in shaping

policies and initiatives.

Through her unwavering advocacy, Monisha calls for a future where inclusivity is not just an

ideal but a reality.

Vanuatu Regional Convening - Parametric Insurance 2023

A big VINAKA VAKALEVU to Vanuatu Young Women For Change, Anne Pakoa and the diverse rural women leadersand first respondents of Vanuatu for opening up your space and affirming our feminist media work in Fiji and in the region.

Today we held our first Climate Finance awareness session with almost 50 Vanuatu diverse rural women leaders. There was an emphasis of discussion on disaster preparedness, violence against women and girls, information access and sharing climate finance information that the grassroot and low income earners should understand in order to help in their disaster responses and recovery.

We acknowledge the space where there were lots of sharing especially post COVID and their genuine gratitude to a space where they can connect and learn each other's work and of course our feminist media work and it's important role in amplifying their voices towards influence and advocacy towards change. There were lots of discussion and joy we all shared.

We all look forward to a much strengthened regional relationship building and networking that is needed in connecting all our feminist and social movement building work. Vinaka VanCare Insurance Limited for your attendance and useful information session to support climate finance access to our rural communities.

Acknowledging UN Capital Development Fund for this collaboration work with femLINKpacific and seeing the value and significance of diverse rural women in accessing climate insurance and helping build stronger community resilience in the face of climate crises.

femLINKpacific launches it's 14th district in Levuka

A historical and special moment for #femLINKpacific and the wider diverse rural women leaders network today as we launch our #feministmedia work in Levuka today.

With more than 30 diverse rural women participants, we shared the femlink #herstory, our moving work in the area of Women, Peace and Security and the importance of feminist media in linking diverse women's voices into public and policy spaces.

Some of the issues that came out included;
- the lack of medical equipments in Levuka hospital where women with their first and last born and other high-risk cases have to travel to Suva hospital which often places higher burden on women and families.
- rape and violence cases still being addressed through the traditional "veisorosoi" process which involves perpetrators asking rape and violence victims for forgiveness
-lack of awareness that comes to the grassroot communities including women's health informations.

A powerful and inspiring start for Levuka. We look forward to more future dialogue with diverse women moving many breakthrough work in Levuka, Ovalau.

Acknowledging Women's Fund Fiji for making all these feminist media expansion into Levuka possible.

#feministmedia

#femLINKpacific

#grassrootfeminist

#Levuka

#Ovalau

Rural Women Leaders Want 50% Women Parliamentarians

by Vilimaina Tamata

Hear Timaima at our Regional Convening talking on Learnings and Policy Conversations around the recent Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, Womens representation in Parliament and women empowering women. Tima urges Women leaders to advance strategies that assist women in grass-root communities.

This Regional Convening is implemented in partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (Forum Secretariat) with funding from the European Union through Technical Cooperation and Capacity Building Facility (TECCBUF). Under KRA4 of the TECCBUF, the programme supports the strengthening of the participation of NSAs and CSOs) to participate more effectively in regional policy making, development and implementation processes. Also, through the Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls (Pacific Partnership). The Pacific Partnership brings together governments, civil society organisations, communities and other partners to promote gender equality, prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG), and increase access to quality response services for survivors.

The revitalization of the Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration is a way forward for Gender Equality in our Blue Pacific Continent

by Sulueti Waqa

“The Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration has a key role to play in advancing gender equality in the region “, shared Rosy Akbar, the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation for Fiji and the Chair of the Pacific Island Women Leaders meeting last week.

This meeting was the result of a decade of endorsing the Gender Equality Declaration. The main conversation was around revitalizing the Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration

It was clear from the press conference that the revitalized Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration that was endorsed by the government ministers and delegates last week should pave the way for addressing issues of gender inequality in our Blue Pacific Continent.  

 Akbar adds that the declaration must reflect regional development priorities. Once taken into consideration, it should assist with a lot of implementation processes in the region.

This will also ensure better collaboration with CSO partners when it comes to gender mainstreaming. Conversations on defense and security by the government will also include gender.    

“The Boe Declaration, human security is the core part of that declaration. So, we are working as the secretariat to ensure that gender and women are part of that discussion but also, particularly around the women’s peace and security agenda looking at it on a wider aspect so as not just focus on women as part of the law enforcement but also women as peacemakers,” said Melania Nawadra, Social Inclusion Adviser at the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat.

 She adds “Gender-based violence is part of that discussion so the revitalization of the Pacific Gender Equality declaration will take that into the aspect and so that is why we would like to ensure the revitalization, the 2050 strategy, and all the sectoral strategies that we have included gender as part of the work that we do”

 Collaboration in the Pacific is the key.

“We noted the importance of a collective voice to highlight issues of common interest including the disproportionate impact and effects of Climate Change and disaster on our women and children” shared Mrs. Akbar. 

The Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration of 2012 had five key outcomes that pacific leaders need to implement. Gender Responsive Government Program and Policies, decision making, economic empowerment, ending violence against women and girls, and health and education.

Within this outcome, there is a need to consider temporary special measures to accelerate the number of women in decision-making.  The need to incorporate CEDAW into legislation. The need to see into the economic empowerment of women by ensuring that women participate equally informal and formal sectors ensuring legislation is in place to ensure access to employment opportunities. The need to work collaboratively with Civil Society Organisations.

Melanesian Women Leaders Call For Leaders to Prioritise Human Security Issues

by Vilimaina Tamata

Diverse Rural Women Leaders in Port Vila are now facing the impacts of the COVID19 Pandemic

Fourty (40) rural women leaders in Fiji and Vanuatu, members of femLINKpacific’s Women’s Weather Watch, met in between 28th – 29th April, the first Regional Convening for the year, in an online hybrid mode, focusing on “Strengthening the Voice and Visibility of Pacific Women for Leadership and Ending the Violence”.

“If I was elected in parliament, my priorities would be the safeguarding of our human securities, these are interlinked, it would make life easier - our issues are rising because certain human securities are not met.”, Vani Tuvuki, a rural woman leader from Ba sharing what she’d push for if she was a woman in national politics, emphasizing the seven human security pillars prioritized by femLINKpacific when it comes to women, peace and security. “For us women, it affects us a lot, because we are the power engine of our families - we are at the forefront of every disaster… I’d really emphasize that we have clean drinking water, lower the cost of living, see that Ministry of Poverty Alleviation gives adequate allowance that could feed a family for a month - and see that our children are not wasting time spending years in USP, but when they graduate they don’t have a job.” added Tuvuki.

Vani Tuvuki speaking on Womens leadership in rural communities

Across the West and North West divisions in Fiji, increased prices of basic food items is a concern, highlighting that with the fact that people were still recovering from job loss caused by the COVID-19 lockdown, this has become a key human security issue as low-income households are not able to cope with the increase in food prices, and therefore opting for low quality foods at cheaper prices. Mrs. Sushma Lal of femLINKpacific’s Ba Rural Women Leaders Community Media Network shared that she has noticed that some food items are being sold at the same price, but with a decreased amount, for instance, a 9kg bag of flour being packaged and sold as a 10kg bag of flour.  Rural Women leaders in the Central Division fear that the increase in food prices will trigger more crimes in communities. At the time of the regional meeting, a single kilogram of sugar costs $3.05 FJD, and the minimum wage rate, as passed by Parliament as of April 01, 2022 is $3.01 FJD – therefore, workers on minimum wage will have to work two hours in order to be able to afford a kilogram of sugar. Rural Women leaders continue to advocate for a decrease in basic food items to cater for low-income earners.

Child labour is a growing issue in North west parts of Fiji, as some families face extreme poverty and children are working in order to pay bills and meals. Recommendations to the State, include running a data collection system for skilled and unskilled workers, the youth, women and matured women, so that there can be some assistance provided to the unemployed in getting work abroad. In addition, rural women leaders want better internet connectivity, so that families in rural communities can have adequate access to online courses, and do not get left behind in the digital method of learning.

Rural Women leaders in Vanuatu reported on how they have been facing the impacts of COVID-19 as a nation, with the lockdowns, resulting in job loss, reduced pay and reduced hours. Better Health services and employment opportunities are the identified needs and recommendations from the Nivan Rural Women leaders. They report that a single face mask costs 150 to 200 vatu, which is too expensive for homes, especially with large families. Women have had to resort to risky means of income such as prostitution, due to the loss of income brought on by the COVID19 Pandemic. Recommendations around the economic human security are towards opportunities for unemployed mothers to sell their produce, food stalls to compensate for finances lost due to the COVID restricted places such as kava bars, etc. Women are also recommending that face masks be made free of charge, hand sanitizers and hygiene resources also, to be subsidized by the Vanuatu government. In addition, recommendations on subsidizing the high cost of housing, to ensure proper accommodation and safety.

Nivan Rural women leaders want their elected representatives to lobby for more hospital availability and community resources – more clinics to be set up in the center of their communities and outer islands, to cater for the marginalized and vulnerable groups i.e. People living with disabilities, pregnant women, young mothers, etc).

In a post-convening survey, Fiji women leaders shared issues they would want their elected representatives to push for, leading the list of these findings, above “Water and Sanitation”, above “COVID 19 pandemic challenges”  was “Women and Girls issues”, stating that women and girls issues are ongoing with no one directly addressing it in Parliament. These issues of violence and health are ongoing, but are somehow only considered serious when addressed alongside Fiji’s cyclone season, due to the lack of privacy and safety for women and girls at Evacuation Centers. Recommendations from young women in the room were for community health workers to be better trained on serving and respecting young women who require medical assistance, and that mindset towards pap smear tests need a positive change in communities. Young women also expressed concerns on the lack of medicine at medical centers, and they have had to purchase their own medicine.

Single mothers, representatives of the Mama Ashy Project report that social welfare assistance has not been responsive, and recommendations towards the Department of Social Welfare at the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation are for clarification on the criteria for assistance towards single mothers, as they’ve seen that not all single mothers are given assistance when seeking help.

Women leaders further expressed concerns on how women are underrepresented across sectors and the need to advocate for CEDAW and the national gender policy, and therefore have strong recommendations for policy reviews to be implemented. Rural Women Leaders Community Media Network continue to push for policy makers to practice fairness and transparency in their decision making and decision making processes, ensuring that the policies are implemented, effective and reviewed from time to time.

Rural Women leaders in Vanuatu and Fiji recommend that Pacific Island Government need to re-look at its gender commitments and to consider deployment of the Ministry of Women representatives into other Ministerial arms (gender officers), as the gender officers would provide guidance surrounding gender inclusion in projects. In addition to recommendations to Pacific Islands governments, national leaders need to assess how women in rural communities can be better resourced and provided opportunities for economic empowerment.

femLINKpacific’s Executive Director, Susan Naisara provided some insight on Women and the Media, global standings of Fiji in terms of press freedom, and the women were also given a brief training on Feminist Media, how femLINKpacific uses its platforms to amplify rural women’s voices. Vanuatu and Fiji participants at the Regional convening were leaders from various groups and associations, including Single Mothers, LGBTQI+, Young Women, Marama ni Koro’s, members of the Fiji District of Social Services (FCOSS), members of the Soqosoqo Vakamarama i-Taukei and community health workers.

What Labasa rural women think about the economy and what political security means to them

Voices from the Field – Women, Peace and Human Security.

by Sulueti Waqa

Twenty-seven (27) diverse rural women and young women leaders gathered at the St Thomas Anglican Church Hall in Labasa on Friday last week for femLINKpacific’s Rural Women Leaders Consultation. The discussion was on the theme of International Women’s Day “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”.  The participants in line with the theme highlighted their women, peace and human security issues.

Mereia Tabuvale from Bulileka, representing Labasa Market Vendors Association in her introduction spoke of the struggles currently faced by market vendors in the Labasa Market. She had been in the market for more than ten years. She left last year and returned- beginning of the year; she was shocked to see the increase in prices of items in the market.   

“It feels like the prices are going up every day, every week, every month “.    Tabuvale stated this as she highlighted that they are making very limited profit from their sales.  Political security was also part of the agenda. There were discussions around what political security meant for the participant.

Swatika Sagar from the Vanua Levu Mahila Mandal shared that political security for her is having the right to vote and an investment in women’s development. Ms Tabuvale shared the same sentiments stating that for market vendors, their political security is knowing the importance and the power of their voice.

Keleni Vosatabu, diverse young women representative shared that political security is about freedom of choice. She stated this after reflecting on the laws that are being passed without proper consultation with the communities. She adds that it is also about accessing justice as young people. Accessing  accurate information particularly for rural communities while Fiji prepares itself for election is very important. The need for communities to be informed in order to effectively participate on the process that leads  up to the general election. With that in mind, rural women and young women leaders spoke of the way forward. They highlighted what kind of leaders they want.  The need for representation of women with a perception that with women in leadership, women’s issues will be properly addressed and attended to.

Esther Brown, representing women with disabilities stated the need for leaders to listen to the people and not only during campaign. “Quite often this is the case, when they are elected, they totally forget about the people.”, added Esther.

The issues that they wished to be addressed is the poor infrastructure. The need for proper road, bridges in remote communities.   

She adds that for persons with disabilities, it is about making towns and public services accessible. This could be achieved by building ramps for persons with disabilities.  There is also a need to look into accessible evacuation centre during times of disasters. 

Accountability and transparency  was also highlighted as an  important characteristic by young women. 

The twenty seven participants  at the Rural Women Leaders consultation were representative from Vunicuicui Mutltiracial Women Group, Vanua Levu Arya Mahila Mandel, Naleba Mutiracial Women’s Group, Navakakuru Women’s Club, House of Colors ,  Labasa Market Vendors Association , Association of Anglican Women , Fiji Early Chilhood Education , Diverse Voices for Equality – Fiji ( Labasa Hub).

Diverse Rural Women Calling for Leaders to Prioritize Access to Education

by Vilimaina Tamata

Twenty-five (25) diverse rural women leaders, members of femLINKpacific’s Rural Women Leaders Community Media Network met last week in Tavua’s District Convening for the year. “Diverse Women Shaping Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow” was the theme at the Convening.

Women leaders representing various local groups and organizations presented their views on what authentic leadership looks like and the type of political leadership they are hoping towards the 2022 Fiji General elections. 

“Supporting one another, women supporting women is essential to achieving gender equality” said Suliana Nateru, a young woman leader member of our Rural Women Leaders Community Media Network. “Being a woman leader means being inclusive, some of the qualities are being supportive, encouraging youth, being responsible and hardworking”, added Suliana. When asked on political leadership, Mrs Vilisi Verebasaga said that a balance of male and female participation in decision making, as well as peoples living with disabilities was crucial to political security, as more than half of Fiji’s population are women. 

Vilisi Verebasga, Tavua Rural Woman Leader speaking on equal participation of men and women in decision making spaces

Young women and mothers in the room also spoke on struggles of access to education with the drastic decrease of the government assisted e-transport top ups which were previously $98.00 per term, has now dropped to only $5.00 per term per child. Additionally, children are missing school due to little to no food at home, their parents who lost jobs due to the COVID19 Pandemic are still struggling to provide and are unable to send their children to school, this has been exasperated even further by the drastic increase in prices of sugar and flour. 

“There’s many issues here in Tavua, we’ve been coming across COVID19, come across the floods, twice or thrice, our farms and home gardens have been really disrupted. Some of the families, they were not working, and there’s been an increase in food items, like sugar, before we used to buy $2 a KG, but now its $2.75, $2.99. Like the flour, the increase of price of flour from $12 and $13 TO $19, the increase of living is very high” says Unaisi Bakewa, Rural Women Leader of our Tavua Community Media Network, also representing Disabled Peoples Federation and Soqosoqo Vakamarama-iTaukei. 

Women leaders further raised concerns with access to Education, as some children go more than a week using the same mask, while other children don’t have masks at all. Recommendations from the room, therefore are towards government assistance to provide free resources such as masks, meals, and sufficient e-transport top ups for children in need to enable them to attend classes, otherwise children from impoverished families are further “left behind” with access to education from what has been described as a strenuous learning experience i.e. 2021 virtual learning methods. 

Young women leaders of Tavua speaking on issues affecting access to education

Further to this, according to the 2021 – 2022 the Fijian Government has allocated $1.5million for sanitary pads to be provided to all female students from Year 7 to Year 13. However, women in rural communities report that sanitary pad vouchers are only being provided to years 9 onwards, and the vouchers are enough to purchase only five in a pack. There packs were provided only once in the year 2021. Women of Tavua are requesting that government leaders follow through with the government assistance of providing sanitary pad vouchers to years 7 to year 13.

Commemorating World Water Day 22nd March 2022, Mrs Mela from Vanuakula Village of Tavua spoke on the importance of clean and running water, and as we commemorate World Water Day, Mela shares the struggles of having unclean water especially during Fiji's Cyclone Season. As water is an essential building block of existence, each year on March 22 we raise public awareness about the significance of clean water and sustainable management of this significant resource.

Communities represented at the Tavua District Convening includes members of the LGBTIQ + community, Marama-ni-koro’s, Young Women, members of the District Council of Social Services (DCOSS) and Community Health Care Workers. 

Women’s Human Security First-Political Security (Access to Voting)

Make Our Rights to Register and Vote Count – rural women with disabilities.

By: Patrina Agnes Tawake

WITH, thirty (30) diverse women, femLINKpacific launched its first ever Sigatoka rural women convening that was held for two days – Wednesday, 2nd March and ended on Thursday (3rd March) at the Coral Coast, with the theme, “Rural Women Shaping Peace and Recovery Better-Women’s deliberation through perseverance, resilience within COVID19 and other crises”.

Central in the conversations, was the access of rural women to exercise their constitutional right to vote in Fiji’s upcoming general election, including in particular ensuring registration and voting rights for women with disabilities in rural and remote areas.

The Nadroga Navosa Branch for Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation (FDPF) representative, Amelia Bai Kiti mentioned that many persons with disabilities are left at home and  do not make it to the polling venues to vote because of their disability and many that arrive at polling venues are the ones that vote because transport is provided.

“Being there and seeing disabled people were at home rather than being at the polling venues makes me emotional because these are the aging group, groups with different impairments such as visual and the various people with disability,” said Kiti.

Kiti further added that “we must reach out to grassroots levels especially people with disability because of poor infrastructure and poor transportation in remote areas. “

“As a person with disabilities of Nadroga, I just want to bring this matter up to PLEASE, the Fijian Elections Office to reach out to villages and communities so that older people and disabled people can vote” says Kiti.

“We Must Make the Vote of Persons with Disabilities, Count,” emphasized Kiti.

femlinkpacific Executive Director, Susan Naisara  emphasized the importance of grassroots’ womens groups such as the Sigatoka network of femLINKpacific, to  share information and help other women be able to exercise their constitutional right to register and vote and decide for themselves the leaders that they want.

She also outlined the low rates of national representation by women in the Pacific compared to other regions in the world, and the high rates of violence.  “Inclusiveness should be a number one priority across all local and community-levels.” It is our responsibility to look out for one another.

Tavaita Valerau who is part of the Soqosoqo Vakamarama in Serua, reiterated that the Election Office was in her village two days ago and they only needed the name that is on your Birth Certificate and not your husbands’ name

Meanwhile feedback from a recent femLINKpacific Regional in Women Leadership Meeting Consultation also revealed that some spouses  insisted on having their name to be included to their wife’s name, in any change.

More information on how this could be done and without any necessary fees or expenses, was an issue that emerged. 

Women from various backgrounds, clubs and representatives from other networks presented their views on one of femlinkpacific seven (7) pillars which was Political Security with regards to having access to voting.

Information sharing was seen as not consistent at a grassroot-level as questions arises when women started sharing their experiences and concerns when it comes to changing their surname on their voter identification card to either their father’s or husband’s name.

Rural Women Spaces - Critical to Mitigating Violence Against Women in a Pandemic.

by Maxine Tuwila Lesivou

Diverse women of our Central Division congregated face to face, and joined by over fifty women across the Northern and Western Divisions via Zoom.

OVER fifty (50) diverse women leaders that are members of femLINKpacific’s Rural Women Leaders Community Media Network (RWLCMN) took part in the first Hybrid method National Convening for the year; taking two days - Monday (31st January) and ended on Tuesday, 1st February.

“ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS IN A CRISIS CONTEXT.  Rural women leaders building community safety net within humanitarian crisis” was the theme for this Convening to end the month of January and to start off the month of February.

Women leaders from various organisations, clubs and networks presented their views on the first, second and third wave of COVID-19 and the need for more information with response to Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) during this pandemic.

Speaking to women leaders on Monday, Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre Shelter Manager/ National Helpline Coordinator, Ilisapeci Veibuli said that this meeting with Women Leaders is important and she acknowledges the critical effort and support that women leaders have been providing amongst its members during this time in responding to VAWG even with the increasing number of Domestic Violence cases.

Ilisapeci Veibuli, FWCC Shelter Manager

 “During this pandemic, it (Domestic Violence Helpline) really does ensure that our women, survivor of violence and children’s voices are heard… the Helpline recorded an increase in Domestic Violence during the pandemic, however, there were also an increase in women leaders accessing it in reporting these DV cases. I would also like to acknowledge the critical support that you all have in ending VAWG and it’s important that we educate our communities in changing their mindsets towards VAWG.”

Impacts of the COVID-19 on all national and regional commitments surrounding gender equality in general is also a key challenge for the participants whilst trying to amplify their voices as women leaders during this pandemic.

While responding to queries from our women leaders, Veibuli said there’s a need for more community collaboration in VAWG response especially during this pandemic.

Koronubu Women’s Fellowship leader and Ba District Council of Social Services (DCOSS) President, Vani Tuvuki said the center should consider having women leaders as community advocates in EVAWG.  She added that women that go through violence needs to be accommodated in safe houses to protect them from perpetrators.

“Women that go through violence needs to be placed in safe homes so they don’t have to be further stigmatized from our communities. We need to identify community advocates in communities that will be able to assist these women in times of crisis especially now during the pandemic and there’s an increasing number of cases.”

Tuvuki added that we need to change our mindsets towards VAWG and we need to stop the victim blaming that we are known for.

Bonita Qio the coordinator for Pacific Rainbows Advocacy Network (PRAN) shared the same sentiment saying that majority of perpetrators are in our homes.

“From my own personal observation, I see that it is us in our own families/ households are perpetrators and we condone this type of behaviors – VAWG. We need to stop being a hypocrite and start reporting these violence in our homes so we lessen the number of cases of domestic violence – we need to change our mindsets for the betterment of our future generations.”

Communities represented in this National Consultation includes District Advisory Councillors (DAC), members of the LGBTIQ + community, Marama-ni-koro’s, Women living with disability, Young Women, members of the District Council of Social Services (DCOSS) and Community Health Care Workers.

Womens Group Push for Inclusion in Leadership Roles

by Maxine Tuwila Lesivou

“Preparedness is vital. We need to prepare for the worst even when warnings given says otherwise. We are nearing disaster period so we need to prepare for what is to come so we do not have the same issue as the previous cyclones,” said Vasiti Cakau the Rainbow Pride Foundation (RPF) Tebara cluster leader and also a Community Health Worker in Nausori.

Cakau was speaking at the Central District Convening that was concluded in Nausori on Tuesday. 

Echoing Cakau’s statement was Viti Soro a representative from Naduru Women’s Group based in Nausori. 

Soro said that we need to give women equal opportunities in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) committees so that they can lead in their roles as women leaders.

“Women must be respected at all times by the community and everyone. We need to be given the same opportunity as men. Women can plan for their future even with lack of resources and opportunities during disaster” she added. 

“Women’s Weather Watch is a platform that we use to disseminate information on disaster preparedness. We should be given spaces like this because we can plan ahead of time.”

Women Leaders from our District in Nausori shared that majority of their villages and settlements are without a DRR Committee and this is a barrier to disaster preparedness.

“We as women leaders need to network a lot with relevant stakeholders so that we’re able to connect with them at different levels especially for us a humanitarian worker,” said Litia Naitanui the representative from the Fiji Disable People’s Federation (FDPF) Rewa Branch.

Naitanui outlined that it’s important to utilise initiatives that are in place to help support our women leaders that are working as first responders especially in times of disaster. 

“With the support of other leaders and community members, we can tackle problems that arise during disasters,” she added.

Discussions also focused on the increasing number of violence against women and girls (VAWG) during this pandemic. 

“We need to empower women and girls to come out of their comfort zones so that they can voice out the issues that they’re currently facing in their homes and communities,” says Nanise Cakau the President for the Community Health Workers in the Rewa sub-division.

This Divisional Convening looks at providing support to network partners in accessing information as well as highlighting violence faced by women and girls especially during this crisis, the “Double Pandemic”. 

With a specific focus on VAWG and the “Double Pandemic”, this convening looked at equipping Rural Women Leaders present on the day to put forth their recommendations to be presented to policy makers to act on.

Fifteen (15) diverse women leaders from our Nausori district in the Central Division met on Tuesday to further discuss their recommendations in bridging the gaps in times of Disaster.

These recommendations will include the need for ensuring that these Women’s Human Security Priorities (WHSP) are met and addressed.

Communities represented in this convening include District Advisory Councillors (DAC), members of the LGBTIQ + community, Women living with disability, Young Women, members of the District Council of Social Services (DCOSS) and Community Health Care workers

Access to Education A Top Human Security Priority in Lami

Mental Health Challenges amongst Concerns

By Maxine Tuwila Lesivou

femLINKpacific has resumed it’s UNSCR 1325 meeting in the district of Lami after a lapse of 6 years; bringing together a total of twenty-five (25) Rural Women Leaders on Monday.

Susan Grey, femLINKpacific’s Executive Director says the organization is looking forward to supporting rural women and girls within the district of Lami, to meet their Human Security Priorities. “We are happy that femLINKpacific has returned to Lami to convene a diverse rural women’s network and to support women and girls and the communities of Lami in striving for gender equality and gender justice in the middle of a pandemic and growing human security threats.”

Grey added, “Lami already has strong women leaders and in feminist solidarity, we have returned to convene and help grow and amplify the voices of rural women, as we believe that transformative change can be achieved through the power of local women’s networks and through local-level convenings.”

There were a number of recommendations from femLINKpacific’s Rural Women Leaders Community Media Network members (RWLCMN) in Lami on issues affecting their Human Security priorities.

“Partnerships and network amongst identified groups in (creating) awareness so women are able to cope on a daily basis,” said Maritina Diti, a representative from Strumphet Alliance Fiji Network.

Diti added that women are experiencing increasing mental health challenges from stress and struggles on a daily basis, especially with their school children being at prolonged periods at home, due to the shut-down of the schools because of the second wave.

“Women are already struggling. Schools are closed and we’re not able to buy data for our children because most of our bread winners are without a job – and this adds to our daily stress and struggles. ”Echoing Diti’s statement was Salanieta Lawakeli, a youth representative of Lami Village.

Lawakeli said that students were experiencing difficulties accessing online programs due to limited resources and the financial burdens on their families. “For some students in our community, trying to find money for data to go online is really hard since their parents are without a job and they cannot meet their daily needs because the cost of living is really high.”

The convening discussions noted that some communities, the women would gather their children together out of their home bubbles to access a single device that is available in their community for zoom or virtual classes.

Ashie Naisara, a life long member of femLINKpacific said that the Mama Ashie Project is trying to cater for the needs of mothers and their children during this pandemic. She adds that access to education is a major issue at the moment with most of the communities in the district of Lami.

“We have identified donors to help these families that have been affected during this pandemic and these supports will go towards the education of their children. A lot of families in Lami aren’t fortunate to be able to provide technical equipment for their children so we try as much as we can  to support them”, Naisara added.

Recommendations from these women leaders include the need for relevant Ministries to provide assistance for students especially when technologyy is involved. Access to Education is a major concern for these women leaders.

Frances Qounadovu, the representative from Delana Women’s Group said, “teachers and the Ministry of Education needs to look into this matter so that no child is left behind. Access to Education is what we are pushing for ever since the lockdown in April.”

RWLCMN Members in Lami were grateful for the opportunity as they’re able to voice their issues about what has been affecting them during this second-wave of the pandemic and give recommendations.

“Thank you to femLINK for offering this space so that women can voice their issues in what’s happening in Lami. The organization can take these issues into relevant forums that help support these women leaders”, Ashie Naisara adds.

Communities represented in this convening include members of the LGBTIQ + community, Women leaders from Faith Based Organizations (FBO’s), Women living with disabilities, young women, women leaders from across women led groups in the District of Lami and members of the District Council of Social Services (DCOSS).

The Lami Rural Women’s Convening or Lami “Women’s Weather Watch” - is funded by the European Union through the “Building Community Resilience to Climate Change through Civil Society Action Project. (CRCC Project).

Preparedness for Response

By Maxine Tuwila Lesivou

femLINKpacific had just concluded its Western District Consultation with Tavua being the last District to be convened late last week. Fifteen (15) diverse rural women leaders attended the convening from various groups, clubs and communities.

The discussion today was mainly around disaster preparedness and response specifically for Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

Speaking on Friday, Hetali Lata said “during this pandemic, there’s an increasing number of domestic violence cases in my community. Women aren’t able to access the services because of fear – we need to prepare for these situations during disaster periods because it will definitely increase”

She added that in previous crisis, women aren’t able to get help and support since evacuation centers weren’t always friendly.

“Evacuation centers are mostly unfriendly to us evacuees. When a woman is being violated in an evacuation center, no one will help because we see it as a “family problem” and not a “me problem” – we need to change this mindset.”

Suliana Nateru the representative from Yaladro Youth Group shared the same sentiments and said that we need to always be prepared and made sure that we have our trusted family and friends to help support us in times of crisis.

“Having our trusted family members and friends around us during a crisis is important so they can help us in finding support and we need to always be prepared during such event.

Nateru added that when women have this depth of knowledge than we will be able to overcome challenges and make necessary changes.
“When women have this knowledge on preparedness, then we are able to better prepare ourselves and our community in identifying the gaps and influence decision makers in this country in terms of our policies” she added.

Miliakere Salaivalu shared that as a village health worker and a market vendor, we need to equip ourselves with preparedness tips especially since we’re nearing disaster period. She added that prior to TC Winston, women leaders in villages do not understand what a “category 5” is.

Salaivalu a member of the Tavua Market Vendors Association added that weather warnings need to be precise, accurate and simple so women can better prepare themselves.
“Weather warning messages needs to be clear and accurate and it needs to be communicated across not only through texts messages. The language used should be simple so ordinary citizens can understand and prepare ourselves. When the media says Category 5 cyclone, they need to simplify the information so we know. They need to make it clear because the next time, it’s important to prepare.”

The women leaders acknowledged femLINKpacific’s Women’s Weather Watch platforms for providing relevant information on what is needed and required for ordinary citizens.

WWW is an inter-operable communication platform developed initially for early warning communication to women specifically for women in the rural areas. At the heart of the system is community radio and today, the system is a two-way information system enabling network members to also provide real-time situation weather updates which are used for media and podcast productions.

Discussions from the 3 district convenings also focused on gaps that currently exist within communities and during the past three days, recommendations to these gaps from women leaders in the Western Division would be collated together and documented to drive a call for action to relevant stakeholders.

Communities represented in this convening includes District Advisory Councillors (DAC), members of the LGBTIQ + community, Young Women, members of the District Council of Social Services (DCOSS), Community Health Care workers and Village leaders

Pushing The Need for Equality in an Unequal Society

 by Maxine Tuwila Lesivou

Women in Rakiraki are urging their inclusion and representation in leadership roles at the local-level such as the advisory councils, outlining that already they are at the forefront with health as ‘village nurses’ but lack the recognition in decision-making spaces.

Women leaders from various organizations, clubs, groups and networks presented their views on ways in which women leaders need to engage and be recognized for their contribution to our communities.

“We need more women in leadership roles. For example, in Rakiraki, we only have three women out of twenty-five advisory councillors.  We have a lot of women village nurses and we are still not recognized – a lot needs to be done so we can achieve equality in leadership roles,” said Sereima Meli.

Meli the representative from the Naboutolu Women’s group added that women are ready to take up leadership positions however, they are still not given the opportunity, because of patriarchy in communities, where men hold the primary power and women are largely excluded from spaces such as political leadership, decision-making etc. She said that this has been a cause too of intimate partner violence and where it continues to be difficult to difficult to resolve.

femLINKpacific had just concluded its district convening for the month of October in Rakiraki yesterday. The convening was attended by 10 Rural Women Leaders from our Rakiraki Rural Women Leaders Community Media Network (RWLCMN)

“Rural women Shaping Peace and Recovery better – Women’s deliberation through perseverance, leadership and hope during COVID19” is the theme for this month’s convening.

Azakia Kalougata the representative from Rainbow Pride Foundation Rakiraki hub echoed the statement saying that mostly women are stigmatized when they seek help when they’ve been violated in their homes and communities.

“When violence occurs, the intervention in our villages mostly don’t work because most women that have been violated are stigmatized when they go to someone they trust, such as the Fiji Women’s Crisis Center (FWCC) or the police”.

Kalougata adds that the effectiveness of women’s leadership is sometimes effective to some extent however, it depends on your setting (Community/environment). He shares that women in villages are mostly not recognized for the commitment and the resilience they have especially in times of a crisis such as the current pandemic.

“In a traditional I-Taukei village, I would say that women’s voices are difficult to be heard because male priority is important but these women in rural communities are the ones that are leading responders in a crisis especially now with this pandemic – the village health nurses are looking after the entire village and community”.

Ana Naivou from the Rakiraki Market Vendors Association says that women are not accessing services because of the lack of trust within the community.

“We women are finding it hard to trust others especially when we are going through violence. We have to be careful in who to trust and who we share our issues with because we might be sharing with someone in authority and then he/she goes back to tell your families about what you’ve shared. That’s why we don’t want to access the services that are provided in the village”.

Women leaders from femLINKpacific’s Rakiraki Network recommended that women need to push for spaces that is theirs and there’s a greater need in achieving equality in leadership roles especially in this unequal society that we live in. They concluded that women can persevere through any hardships and we need to acknowledge these achievements.

The convening was attended by members of the Rakiraki Market Vendors Association, Rainbow Pride Foundation Rakiraki Hub, Soqosoqo Vaka-Marama, former members of Ra Naari Shaba and Young Women leaders from across Rakiraki.