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.
