World Humanitarian Day: Recognising Women as First Responders

“Women have been taking the lead role in rural communities, managing their clubs and groups. Women as first respondents have not been recognised when it comes to decision-making processes,” said Fane Boseiwaqa, femLINK’s convenor for the Ba, Tavua and Rakiraki districts.

Boseiwaqa shared this during the recent national consultations while speaking to women leaders in the lead up to World Humanitarian Day.

She also highlighted the use of the “Red Journal” – an initiative that documents the role of femLINK’s Rural Women Leaders Community Media Network (RWLCMN) in their communities.

“The journals serve as evidence to the many roles women play when they are documented in these journals,” she said.

“With all our different roles, women are still not recognised,” says Frances Tawake, convenor for the Nausori network.

Tawake says the journals helped keep track of these women leaders’ achievements and was also a reminder for women to prioritize themselves.

Miliakere Salaivalu, a community health worker in Tavua says, “Women of all diversities are first responders in their homes and communities and their leadership must be supported.”

“It’s our influence and the small things we do that people learn from,” says Bonita Qio, Executive Coodinator of the Pacific Rainbows Advocacy Network (PRAN).

As the world reflects on World Humanitarian Day and the key role that diverse women leaders play, it is time for reaffirming women as first-responders even more so in the midst of COVID-19.

Susan Grey, femLINK’s Executive Director says the COVID-19 pandemic has brought forward even more the role of women leaders in the network as resilient women humanitarians.

“The arrival of severe Category 4 Tropical Cyclone Harold in early April, in the midst of a pandemic, and with two states of natural disasters in place, demonstrated  the vital role of the women leaders as first responders, how they are responding to the crises of the "double pandemic" as this continues and how they are also contributing to peace within.

“We've shared our emerging data from women on the ground of  their human security issues - but we have got to demand more than this. Gender needs to be right there at the heart of the humanitarian response,” Grey said.

“It is time for the government to not just commit, but highlight how they will work with women’s civil society to meet the representation targets in decision making processes,” says Kele Gavidi, femLINK’s Programmes Manager.

She adds Fiji’s recent history of natural disasters echoes greater climate unpredictability, persistent droughts and stronger cyclones, resulting in more complex and frequent humanitarian emergencies.

Gavidi says it’s not surprising that complex and frequent disasters are confronting an existing humanitarian system of response that can be improved to reflect current needs.

“We need a more transformative, gender-inclusive agenda for humanitarian response that ensures the rights and specific needs of women and girls in all their diversities affected by natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies are being addressed in national plans, strategies and responses including disaster risk reduction policies,” she says.

Additionally, Gavidi says that women should not only be portrayed as victims of natural disasters and climate change, but rather “they are equal partners in designing strategies and agreements on how to tackle related issues.”

Ensuring security needs of women leaders in Bua

During the June district convenings, the Rural Women Leaders Community Media Network (RWLCMN) shared their priority concerns on the impact COVID-19 has had on their communities.

Key issues to come out of the Bua convening include the strain on existing healthcare in the communities due to the lack of access to clean water.

Adi Ana Ramatai of the Soqosoqo Vakamarama, Bua told FemTALK 89FM that little awareness had come from the Ministry of Health (MOH) directly into the communities about COVID-19.

She says their understanding of the virus came from what they learnt on TV and through the media.

“I was afraid; I panicked because I know the number of children who will be coming home to grandmother and there was no awareness at all about this COVID-19.”

Litiana Rokodege of the Nabouwalu Youth Group said that even during the lockdown periods, communities faced intermittent water supply, exacerbating existing health issues such as leptospirosis, typhoid and dengue fever.

In April, Water Authority of Fiji advised Fijians through the media that “water supply systems are expected to encounter water treatment problems due to extremely high turbidity levels or blockages to raw water intakes, burst mains and electricity supply issues.”

Affected areas had included Nabouwalu and Savusavu.

Ramatai says that with MOH guidelines in place to combat the spread of COVID-19, little had been done to ensure the communities had access to proper water services.

“We have been raising that during [village] meetings and they have been making false promises about this. Now it’s 2020 and we have COVID-19 and nothing has been done,” she said.

“How can you tell the communities to wash their hands with water when we don’t have clean water?” Ramatai asked.

Rokodege is urging Water Authority to provide more tanks for rural communities as well as providing clean water sources for villages in Bua/Nabouwalu.

These includes providing tanks at the Nabouwalu market, where market vendors in the network have shared their health concerns about hygiene in the market.

“I am a market vendor and those risks are we had no supply of masks, no hand sanitizers, no gloves,” said Fulori Tagivetaua of the Waimakala Women’s Club in Nabouwalu.

“We also can’t [do] social distancing as our markets are overcrowded.”

Tagivetaua also shared what it was like for market vendors during the restrictions on inter-island travels:

“We lost our daily customers and our daily customers are the ferry travellers. As the port was closed...we didn’t have our weekly income or our daily income so now we are all in the villages,” she said.

She said that even as fuel prices decrease, transport fares had increased.

“I was the sole breadwinner for our family as I do business, I’m a market vendor. Prices are really increasing so the fare is also increasing so we can’t afford to export our cash crops so our vegetables and the root crops we have to take them to Labasa.”

With more families now turning to backyard gardening, Tagivetaua is urging authorities to provide more seedlings for entire communities to survive on and to assist with diverse farming initiatives.

Women's Rights Groups call out the Fiji Corrections Services

16/07/2020

Women's human rights groups in Fiji are deeply disturbed and disappointed by recent comments from the Fiji Corrections Services on double standards for sportspeople convicted of rape.

The Fiji Corrections Services defended its position to allow athletes convicted of rape to participate in their respective sports despite them barely serving 1 year of their sentencing. According to the FCS spokesperson, the athletes have undergone rehabilitation and once they are considered, ‘low risk,’ are allowed to train and play sports in public.

femLINKpacific and the Fiji Women's Rights Movement are concerned about the implications of these comments and call for investigations into FCS and its remand and rehabilitation processes.

“It’s appalling that rapists and sexual offenders are considered ‘low risk’ by FCS. Sexual violence is a grave and heinous violation of human rights and this has been recognised by the Courts and justice system as well as the Fijian government,” said FWRM Executive Director Nalini Singh.

"This is an insult to victims and survivors of sexual violence and everyone who has been pushing to end violence against women. There have been efforts at the national level by government and across all sectors of society to eliminate sexual violence and yet the body tasked with the rehabilitation of criminals is reinforcing rape culture," she said.

FCS defended its position in response to the public outcry around the release of convicted rapist Amenoni Nasilasila to play rugby only 9 months after his sentencing. The 28-year-old was sentenced to eight years imprisonment with a non-parole period of six years by the High Court in Suva. This is the second time he was seen out training. He received media attention in October last year for training with a rugby team only five days after he was sentenced.

It is understood that he is not the first and that according to FCS, “nor will he be the last”; there are currently other inmates convicted for serious offences who have been picked to play rugby and other sports outside prison. FCS claimed that Nasilasila has been rehabilitated despite having only served less than 10 per cent of his full sentence.

“No one is above the law. There is a clear double standard for sports celebrities portrayed by FCS which is unacceptable and must be called out," said femLINKpacific Susan Grey.

The position that FCS has taken on convicted sports people highlights another concern with possible conflict of interest, as the Commissioner of Corrections, Francis Kean is also the Fiji Rugby Union Board Chair and affiliated with Namosi Rugby Union under which Nasilasila is expected to play.

"In a country where rape and sexual violence statistics have hit crisis level, what kind of message is FCS sending to the public? There is a lack of assurance that perpetrators of sexual violence are being held accountable.”

The FCS comments undermine its pivotal role in women’s access to justice and threaten the progress of attitudinal change towards gender equality and ending rape culture. The women’s rights groups reiterate that there must be a proper investigation on the existing rehabilitation policies at FCS and reform towards a human rights-based approach that ensures equal treatment for all.

ENDS

 For media queries please contact:

FWRM Communications Officer Maryann Lockington at 8677330 or info@fwrm.org.fj

Economic and Personal Security top priorities for women leaders in Labasa

“My community was not aware of this sickness - the virus pandemic - and they didn’t have enough information.”

This was shared by Reverend Angela Prasad of the Labasa Anglican Association of Women during femLINK’s district consultations in Vanua Levu last month.

Rev. Prasad says COVID-19 had put a lot of strain on communities, financially and emotionally.

“People didn’t have enough money to buy the food and to put the food on the table for large families with little space they could not do this social distancing and it was a problem to them,” she said.

Economic and health security have been at the top of the priority list for many families since Fiji closed its borders in March.

“The layoff from work tends to increase the number of people that are staying in a particular village at this point in time,” said Mareta Tagivakatini, President of the Labasa Market Vendors Association.

Tagivakatini added that even in villages, people had turned to bartering groceries for items needed.

But even while families worry about cost of living, personal security has also been at the forefront of discussions between members of the Rural Women Leaders Community Media Network (RWLCMN).

Over the last few months, the Fijian Government has introduced restrictions to curb community transmission of COVID-19.

These restrictions include curfews from 10PM to 5AM and for a time, stopped inter-island travels.

“Those that were around town specially the sex workers they were chased by police officers even before curfew when they are struggling to make ends meet,” said Tagivakatini.

“Policies should ensure protection.  Security for the community instead of [security forces] abusing their power to create fear in the communities,” shared Louis Gill, a member of the House of Colours, a community organisation for LGBT youths in Labasa.

 “I lost my confidence when it came to the security forces because I had the fear that it might result in gender-based violence with them.”

[In May, several news outlets reported police officers were under investigation for alleged brutality; read: https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/416639/multiple-police-brutality-investigations-underway-in-fiji.

Also: https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/commission-finds-use-excessive-force-in-alleged-police-brutality-2/]

To hear more from women leaders in Labasa, visit: https://soundcloud.com/femlinkpacific/femtalk-89fm-june20-labasa-whsf-macuata-convening

COVID-19 Impacts Rakiraki Women Leaders

“When we talk about human security pillars, all the pillars are connected. So when we go through this pandemic, all these pillars – the economic security, food security, health security, personal security – all these is becoming an issue.”

This was shared by Varanisese Maisamoa, President of the Rakiraki Market Vendors Association, during production of femLINKpacific’s Women Human Security First series.

The series was produced following femLINK’s first round of monthly post-COVID-19 convenings since February.

During the convening, Maisamoa highlighted several intersecting issues that rural communities faced at the height of the COVID-19 restrictions in Fiji.

These issues include the linkage between unemployment, rising costs of market produce and violence.

And with many communities now returning to farm land to survive, vendors are being hard pressed to maintain vegetables at a reasonable price for consumers, while also earning a profit for their families’ needs.

“I go to Tavua too to do the selling...because there’s a lot of unemployment here in Rakiraki.  We have built our new market here in Rakiraki but who to buy from?” asked Ana Kulaniloga a market vendor in Rakiraki.

“We have to look outside Rakiraki where there are people employed so they can buy our produce,” she said.

In recent years, the Rakiraki members of the Rural Women Leaders Community Media Network (RWLCMN) have often raised the difficulties communities face since the closure of the local sugarcane mill (Penang mill was closed in 2016 after significant damage to it by TC Winston).

During this pandemic, Nila Rao – an advisory councillor for the Dramasi Settlement in Rakiraki – said there were rising tensions in homes because of unemployment (due to COVID-19) and an increase in the burden of care on women.

“Everybody was home, the men were at home because most of them had lost their jobs; the children were at home and the women were mostly doing most of the work at home like cooking, cleaning and taking care of the children, the sickly and the elderly,” she said.

Maisamoa said during this period, “mental health has been affected.”

“We humans are social beings. But because of this pandemic, we stopped going to church, we stopped any gathering, we stopped [travelling], we were confined to our own space and that has brought a lot of stress and mental health issues in our personal lives.

With physical distancing restrictions in place, women who often found support from their community clubs, found themselves isolated at home and away from their support systems.

“Some women didn’t get any type of support because they couldn’t even leave their homes because the clubs [community clubs], there wasn’t any clubs going on, the place of worship was closed down.

“If everything was not in order then what happened is that the women were blamed for it and that led to domestic violence, mental stress in some cases,” Rao shared.

With restrictions still in place - and Fiji registering 8 new border-cases of COVID-19 – the three women said the only way Fiji can contain the spread of COVID-19 is to maintain recommended hygiene practices.

“[Maintain] proper hygiene [and] maybe provide awareness to all the families to continue to maintain social distancing,” said Maisamoa.

“We should support each other and work as a team,” said Rao, adding that we must all find a collective solution to counter the impact of COVID-19.

Tavua Rural Women Leaders: All women are affected!

“Women leaders...really have to be the jacks of all trades. You have to adapt…so you can continue to be the first responders,” said Unaisi Bakewa of the Tavua Disability Network.

In Tavua, the Rural Women Leaders Community Media Network (RWLCMN) shared the impact COVID-19 has had on their human security priorities.

In the last few months, many working in the western division have become unemployed due to the challenges facing the tourism industry.

“Some of them have been laid off from their jobs so they tend to come back to their families,” said Bakewa, adding that this had also caused overcrowded living conditions.

For Hitali Singh, a member of the Reservoir Youth Group and a university student from Tavua, connecting online for her classes had become difficult.

 “I’m finding it hard to cope with my daily university routine.  I have to buy recharge for online classes and studies as it is a difficult time and we are facing financial insecurity and doing online classes is difficult,” she said.

“We are not working and still schooling so we have to ask for money and then go buy recharge.”

Rishita Devi, President of the Tavua Red Cross said that the burden of care had increased for women during the pandemic, saying, “Women are the lead caregivers in the community.”

“All women are affected, they have more care and responsibility such as looking after children and elderly people at home,” she said.

This is on top of the unpaid work women are already expected to undertake:

According to Devi, “in rural areas, women are expected to spend more time in the gardens and farms.” (According to a Food and Agirculture [FAO] report, “Women form about half of the agricultural workforce...”)

With women holding the duty of care in the family, the pressure fell on the women of the family “to prepare three different meals in a day,” Devi said.

On top of that, health security had also been affected during the introduction of the COVID-19 restrictions.

Bakewa said that although the curfew had reduced crime in some area, the lack of mobility during those hours had been a major issue when caring for sick family members.

“Some of the families in the settlements that we went to for example, in Dramasi, they were unable to [go] to the hospital due to this lockdown in the middle of the night and they were trying to call out the numbers for 919 [Crime Stoppers] and 917 [Emergency Line] and there was no response,” Bakewa added.

Singh added, “We cannot take them to the hospital...because during the [curfew] there are no taxis, no vehicles available and to the people that don’t have their own vehicles, they have to face a lot of problems.”

Meanwhile restrictions remain in place despite Fiji not recording a case since April 21.

As a collective, the RWLCMN have continued to call for public adherence to the health ministry’s guidelines. However, they have also reiterated the need to provide resources for vulnerable groups and rural communities.

When you hear “COVID” - the next reaction....

Litia Masei was one of 12 women that came together yesterday to share their safety and security concerns of women and girls in Lautoka City against a backdrop of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Lautoka City was the first locality that went into a “lockdown” when Fiji’s first reported case was announced on March 19, 2020.

Two and a half months later in yesterday’s Lautoka convening of the Rural Women’s Leaders Community Media Network (RWLCMN), Litia and women network members, are still contemplating and reviewing what comes next.

The fear of the unknown with this ‘mystery virus,’ and the safety and security measures of them, their families and communities are still prevalent and even more deep-seated as they continue to wonder about the current situation they’re in, the duration of the pandemic restrictions and impact that these would have.

“They were affected by that and they lock their houses. They stay inside and they don’t even know why they are staying inside, just because of that news of COVID-19. Because COVID-19 causes death. The word, “death,” “said Masei as she shared on her assessment visits to communities as a DCOSS member.

The Lautoka rural women’s network reported the surge in support for assistance, the worry revolving around political security through the effect of the relevant legislation, the mental well-being of network members and the effect on the LGBTQI community.

Visit our website https://www.femlinkpacific.org.fj/ for more COVID-19 impact stories from femLINKpacific’s Rural Women Leaders Community Media Network (RWLCMN).

femLINKpacific has commenced the scaled-down rural women’s convenings and are also documenting issues for the Fijian Government 2020-2021 National Budget Submission.

Women lead COVID-19 response in their communities

“We know that women, they are hardworking in the family. But from the beginning of COVID-19, women are suffering so much,” said Temaleti Sauka of the Nailaga Soqosoqo Vakamarama (SSVM).

Since Fiji’s first reported case of COVID-19 in mid-March, many communities have experienced an increased level of economic hardship.

These include a record level of unemployment as well as introduced measures to curb the local transmission of COVID-19.

“There’s not enough income, there’s not enough food to serve to their families and those are some of the things that are affecting our communities due to COVID-19,” said Tevita Evu of the Ba District Council of Social Services (DCOSS).

Kamlesh Kaur from the Tavarau Varoka Nari Sabha added that with the restrictions in place and the ripple effect from the tourism industry, many in her community are struggling to make ends meet.

“In Yalalevu, most of them are workers so they have cut down hours, some are terminated, and their hours are reduced in a way,” she said.

And with families barely receiving an income, the Rural Women Leaders Community Media Network (RWLCMN) in Tavua have reported an increase in crime and domestic violence.

“Domestic violence it was when there’s no money in the home,” said Kaur, adding that families had resorted to backyard gardening and “bring something from there so that there’s less violence in the home.”

Sauka added, “[Despite] the curfew/lockdown there is still an increase also in domestic violence and rape and not only on the women in the community but also to the LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual. Transgender].”

Evu said this pandemic has also seen disputes among neighbours and families and the closedown of businesses “especially the small businesses that can’t afford to sustain during the crisis.”

“One of the effects that we saw on the women in the communities is the psychological state of mind they go through especially because [they’re thinking], ‘how they gonna get the food to feed the families, to feed the children?’”

Evu said that with physical distancing and stay-at-home (SAH) guidelines in place, those vulnerable to violence had also found it difficult to report it to relevant authorities.

He also said that health security had been affected by the pandemic.

“Most women and members of the family they don’t have accessibility to proper medication and health services that are provided,” he said.

Kaur said, “My husband is a heart patient it was very difficult getting the medicine because he was not allowed to go for checkups or go to hospitals...so it was hard for us.”

Sauka said that during this time, more support and resources needed to be invested into addressing the needs of diverse women in rural communities.

The network members have also made Budget 2020-2021 submissions calling for reviewing the criteria and assessment for the social welfare assistance scheme, increasing the monthly disability and food allowances, making a concerted effort to support people to access and utilise land for farming, and implementing mobile clinics and health and wellness services due to the increased levels of stress, pressure, violence, attempted suicide and kava consumption as copying mechanisms.

THE MENTAL STRESS: COVID-19 in the Sugar City.

femLINKpacifc’s network members of diverse rural women have outlined the high levels of negative issues  revolving around their personal security in Fiji’s second city Lautoka, which was the first location to be “locked-down” in  COVID-19 health restrictions.

Across the Western Division network, members of the Rural Women Leaders Community Media Network (RWLCMN) also reported food security as their top priority.

Members from the LGBT Community outlined the stigma and discrimination that they faced.

“I think for me and my community the only thing we can do right now is look out for each other,” said Bonita Qio of the Pacific Rainbows Advocacy Network (PRAN).

Qio said the announcement of the first COVID-19 case in Fiji had affected members of the LGBT community:

“We’ve been called names, we were told that we were the people that had brought the sickness into Fiji and this mentally it wasn’t really helping, it really affected us mentally,” she said.

Qio added their personal security had been threatened in the initial stages of the lockdown.

“It threatened our security going to shops, going to places, walking on the street we would be called names, people would be teasing us and I’m surprised with the way the members of the community coped with this kind of attitude from the public.”

On top of the mental stress it had caused, Qio said the pandemic had also affected the sex worker industry.

She said that sex workers’ community here in the west had faced difficulty in terms operation and with curfews in place, they had been forced to operate in the day.

“The streets were getting crowded with us standing by in the daytime and the police were arresting us because it was also seen as a social gathering, she said.

“Within the first week, a few of our single mothers were taken and it was really hard because while they were in the custody of the police they were worried about their children at home, what would they eat and their families,” Qio shared.

Litia Masei of the Paipai Women’s Group, said that most families had been severely affected by job losses in tourism industry.

“Because of this COVID-19, most of the families have been affected specially the breadwinner working in the hotel industry coming back home now, staying home and they’re trying all their best to do backyard gardening but how long will that take?”

The objective of ensuring that they put food on the table, and prioritising food securty has emerged due to job losses from the tourism industry of which the western division hosts the tourism belt.

“The people they struggle each day to put food on the table. Even they cut down the meals in their family, instead of having three meals a day so they cut it down to two meals,” said Mate Moce of the Teidamu Women’s Group.

Masei said on top of losing income and their farms during TC Harold, many also had to manage childcare with schools having closed since mid-March.

She added that while families remained optimistic, the government needed to do more to ensure rural communities were not left behind during its response to COVID-19.

The Nadi Tourist and Gateway Human Security Peaks

“We are isolated and we are pushed aside and for most of our members, we cannot go out into the community and ask for food,” said Roberta Chan, an advocate living with disability and a member of femLINKpacific’s Rural Women Leaders Community Network (RWLCMN).

During femLINK’s Nadi district consultation that was held early last week, members of the Nadi RWLCMN shared the protection risks they experienced as women.

“It’s been a real struggle having to cope with the impact of COVID-19.”

Marsha Soi, an LGBT advocate said COVID-19 had impacted the local communities physically, mentally and emotionally.

“It’s been a real struggle having to cope with the impact of COVID-19,” Soi said.

Soi also said they were still trying to come to terms with what is happening around them:

“We’ve seen people stealing in the community at night just to put food on the table and it’s brought on a lot of stress to other members of the community while coping with the [restrictions].”

Timaima Ralolokula, President of the Veilomani Women’s Club echoed similar sentiments, saying the lack of economic security has had an impact on the personal security of women and children, with some, resorting to stealing in order to be able to feed their families.

Ralolokula said that since Nadi was a tourist town, many people had been affected by unemployment brought on by the pandemic.

“There’s a lot of unemployment, there are a lot of issues. Food insecurity is high,” she said.

“For years, we always expect cyclones, droughts and all these disasters but COVID-19 is something new and it really affects my community.”

She said domestic violence in communities had increased because of unemployment, with households facing issues like food security.

Timaima has been conducting surveys of households and communities as a first responder and outlined how household are finding it difficult to put food on the table.

She also outlined the impact on economic security with the connection to unemployment in the usually bustling and touristy town Nadi - and where there’s less money in the family and where it also leads to the effect on personal security where some young children are reportedly entering supermarkets to steal meat or groceries.

The issues of the Nadi rural women’s network have revolved around the closure of the hotels and the subsequent job losses, and the effect of the closure of Nadi Airport.

The  demand for land and the limited access to it for backyard gardening to put food on the table have resulted in increased conflict.

“Like Nadi and Nadroga they are totally dependent on this tourism industry so there is a big problem with their families because they are not able to put food on the table and they also have been engaged with other mortgage and other systems so they are finding it very difficult to live their lives,” echoed Williama Swammy of the Satya Sai Service Organisation.

The network women also reported how they’ve tried to adapt their routine and their lives in a COVID-19 Pandemic.

Yasmin Khan of the Almahdina Women’s Club explained that members of her club have adapted our lives through ensuring that they’re doing backyard gardening, and making use of the little soil that they have.

“We use anything that we have which can hold some soil, we can do our planting there and I have told my women in my club that we are all doing the same.” “And also those women who cannot do anything they can ask the church ministries and women’s groups and also youth groups to come and intervene,” said Yasmin.

In an FBC report on the 28th of May, Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho had said that serious crime and crime against women and children have decreased.

According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, 12 people were charged with 17 counts of separate incidents sexual offences (16 for rape and 1 for indecent assault.

Thirty-six (36) people were charged with a total of 42 counts of separate incidents for serious crimes (non-sexual violence offences).

femLINKpacific is currently conducting its monthly convenings across 10 districts, with a focus on the impact COVID-19 has had on communities, especially on diverse women and girls.

femLINK is also distributing informational materials from members of the CSO Alliance for COVID-19 Humanitarian Response to the RWLCMN.

The Western Division convenings will then be followed by those in the North and Central.

femLINKpacific’s first series of COVID-19 Pandemic convenings with the Rural Women Leaders Community Media Network (RWLCMN) is a femLINKpacific WeRise Coalition activity, supported through the Australian Government. We also acknowledge the support of our coalition partner, the International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA).

For more, hear our soundcloud interviews and visit our Facebook page.

More work to be done “breaking the silence”: Jay Nasilasila

“It’s a very difficult life when you are living life as an LGBTQI [lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, intersex] individual,” said Jay Nasilasila, the Look at My Abilities host for FemTALK 89FM Labasa.

“Because when you are trying to express what you feel inside you…out there in the community, they are trying to shut you down and then change you to be someone else.”

Every year on the 17th of May, the international community comes together to commemorate IDAHOBiT or the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.

This year’s IDAHOBiT theme was, “Break the Silence”.

For Nasilasila, the theme is a chance to reflect on the challenges she faces as a transwoman living with disability.

“Breaking the silence for me really talks about the challenges that I am able to overcome in the past years...the different situations that I was able to conquer,” said Nasilasila, who is also the Co-ordinator for the House of Colours in Labasa.

“I can say that there is still a lot of work to be done and “Breaking the Silence” really highlights the life of LGBTQI persons, of them being able to fully express themselves.”

She said it took time to transition from acceptance to being comfortable with herself to an advocate for persons living with disability within the LGBTQI community.

This process of reflection and acceptance, Nasilasila said, does not happen overnight.

“It takes time to really come up to that...to be fully empowered, to be who you are, to fully express yourself the way you feel inside you and the way you engage with everyone,” said Nasilasila.

Adela Maitoga, Treasurer and Hub Counsellor for the DIVA for Equality Labasa centre, said that it can be difficult being an LBT (lesbian, bisexual, transgender) woman in conservative communities.

“In a very patriarchal and conservative community which I live in, living freely as an LBT woman is very hard as any wrong move, wrong decision, misunderstanding, disagreement and dispute can give rise to criticism and stigmatisation,” Maitoga said.

LBT women are unfairly treated when accessing justice, health services and police force due to their gender identity, Maitoga said, adding that discrimination sometimes led to them missing out on job opportunities.

Maitoga added the focus for DIVA is ensuring members have “better education services, financial stability, good and healthy living conditions, accessing justice, being recognised, respected and accepted in communities, working towards sustainable development goals.”

Nasilasila said Fiji had come a long way since the decriminalization of homosexuality in 2010* - a breakthrough for the LGBTIQ community.

She added that despite the “stigma, the discrimination and all this difficult experiences and challenges that we go through every day of our life, we still exist and we are slowly seeing the changes.”

Maitoga concluded, “LBT women are human beings and human beings need to be treated equally, fairly and most of all with respect.”

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated Jay Nasilasila was the host of Rainbow Connections. That is incorrect. Jay is in fact the host of Look At My Abilities - a programme dedicated to highlighting the issues of person living with disability.

* - In 1997, Fiji became the second country in the world to explicitly ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, in 2009, the Constitution was abolished. In 2010, consensual homosexuality was discriminalized through the 2010 National Crimes Decree.

We Rise Coalition – Expressing Solidarity Across the Pacific during the COVID19 pandemic

The We Rise Coalition is in solidarity with Pacific feminists, women human rights defenders, partners, allies and humanitarian workers at the front lines of the global pandemic crisis who are amplifying the voices of women and girls in all their diversities.[1]

It has been one year since Pacific feminists committed to the Pacific Feminist Charter Action Plan[2] at the 2nd Pacific Feminist Forum. The significance of this strengthened solidarity and Action Plan is crucial now more than ever with the emergence of the novel 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19).

As Pacific feminists, we recognise the unique context of the region, the diversities of Pacific cultures, experiences and the multiple social, political, economic and ecological challenges we face in our realities. These struggles and barriers of existing pervasive and entrenched inequalities, gendered hierarchies, patriarchy and other oppressive systems faced by women, girls, gender non conforming people and marginalised communities in the Pacific have now been underlined and further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As Pacific feminists navigating through this crisis, we commit to the collective principles and voices enshrined in the Pacific Feminist Charter for Change[3] to affirm our vibrant, transformative activism and feminism. The Pacific Feminist Charter for Change is a manifestation of  Pacific feminist solidarity, endorsed by over 150 women human rights defenders at the inaugural Pacific Feminist Forum in 2016. Strengthening this work is the Pacific Feminist Action Plan mapping the way forward on addressing intersectional issues across the vast span of the region through sustaining solidarity, strengthening resistance and revolution.

During COVID-19, women and girls continue to face violence online and in their homes. Women’s Crisis Centres across the Pacific are reporting increased calls to domestic violence helplines. The We Rise Coalition calls for all women – including those with disabilities and women with diverse sexuality and gender identity – to have access to healthcare,  without discrimination.

The We Rise Coalition reiterates the Pacific Feminist Charter for Change to recognise the leadership of women of all ages, including older women, young women and girls, and women of all intersectional identities. The We Rise Coalition is calling on Pacific Governments to include women and girls in all decision-making processes related to the response and recovery of communities affected by COVID-10. All agencies (Government, UN and otherwise) have a responsibility to ensure the rights of women and girls are protected during COVID-19 lockdowns in the interim period and to ensure that their needs will be met in the long run. 

As co-convenors of the Pacific Feminist Forum, the We Rise Coalition also calls on Pacific Governments to ensure the safety and security of vulnerable communities during the various stages of lockdowns and restrictions due to COVID-19 by supporting the work of grassroots organisations.

The PFF Charter Action Plan emphasises enhancing feminist collaboration to learn together and reshape the humanitarian agenda by embedding women’s rights and leadership in humanitarian coordination efforts across the cluster system.

Now more than ever, states and development partners must work with women human rights defenders and activists and communities at the front lines of this pandemic to adopt practices and maximise resources to end all forms of violence against women and girls. There must be support built for those women who have lost their employment, for those that are sick and indeed for urgent care. Full range of quality health services including sexual and reproductive health services must be provided to all those who need it without fear, stigma and discrimination. 

The Coalition partners urgently mobilised to redirect work towards addressing the pandemic crisis and coordinated support for continuous and innovate new work and the new norm of working remotely.  The Pacific Feminist Charter Action Plan highlights the need to amplify the call for an increase in dedicated, flexible funding to sustain the transformative work of diverse Pacific women. The Coalition recognises funding partners who have stepped up to support this work, particularly for Pacific partners such as the Fiji Women’s Fund and the Urgent Action Fund for Asia and the Pacific.

The Coalition took measures to ensure partners’ safety and address needs for the emerging new work to respond to the developing situation and disruptions to ongoing work.
 
We Rise wants to extend the depth, reach and impact of the movement support available to all women and gender non-conforming people across the Pacific. Our ultimate goal is to see women’s voice and agency of diverse Pacific women contributing to transformative change through a vibrant and resilient feminist movement. 

In solidarity,
femLINKpacific, the Fiji Women's Rights Movement and the International Women's Development Agency
(We Rise Coalition)
 

[1] From here on when we mention ‘women and girls’ we refer to specific identities and needs of lesbians, bisexual, trans people, intersex people, fa’afafine, leiti, and other non-heteronormative Pacific identities, Francophone women, diaspora women, indigenous women, women living in occupied and colonised territories, migrant women and girls, women with disabilities, and women with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities, sex workers, living with HIV aids, women living in rural and remote places, young women, the girl child, single mothers, women with albinism, older women, heterosexual women, women in sports, and creative industries. (Pacific Feminist Charter for Change, 2016)
 

[2] 2nd Pacific Feminist Forum, 2019. Pacific Feminist Charter Action Plan. [online] Fwrm.org.fj. Available at: <http://www.fwrm.org.fj/images/PFF/WEBSITE/PFF_Charter_Action_Plan.pdf>
 

[3] Pacific Feminist Forum, 2016. Pacific Feminist Charter For Change. [online] fwrm.org. Available at: <http://www.fwrm.org.fj/images/PFF/PFF-Charter-Final-2Dec2016.pdf>

#BREAKING THE SILENCE....the divisional focus

Our divisional teams with their partners and allies, commemorated the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

With the theme of ‘Breaking the Silence,’ the attendees shed light on their journey and narratives as members of the LGBTIQ+ community.

‘We also acknowledge too the work of others and their predecessors in breaking THAT silence and taking away the perception and the stigma associated with the LGBTIQ+ community,” said Ms Regina Rakacikacika, at the Labasa Community Media Centre (CMC).

In the North, the femLINKpacific team commemorated the day with members of the House of Colors and DIVA for Equality.

In the West, correspondent Agu Tuinasau, reported from the Daulomani Home, Lautoka, sharing the joy of Edwina and friends in commemorating the day on the farm.

The Fiji NGO Coalition on Human Rights of which femLINKpacific is a member stands in solidarity with the LGBTQI community and human rights defenders in “Breaking the Silence” against discrimination, stigma and violence. 

NGOCHR observer, Haus of Khameleon also released a statement to commemorate IDAHOT,

“Everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics have a right to equal access to opportunities, services and their safety including access to justice and health services. The LGBTIQA+ community must always be protected even during these times of the pandemic.”

DIVA for Equality Fiji stated, “We are working to end the active process of silencing, marginalisation, shaming, stigma, discrimination, violence and murder of LGBTQI and people around the world.”

The Fiji Constitution prohibits discrimination against people on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, but there remain limiting provisions that are barriers to their full recognition and protection. In Fiji and the Pacific, violence and stigma faced by the LGBTQI community is disturbingly prevalent and often invisible because of the entrenched patriarchal culture of “silence,” outlined the NGOCHR.

Regional security measures include hearing diverse women’s voices

“Pacific feminists have also been raising their voices during the response to the Covid-19 pandemic and have been active in calling for access for all to decision-making in cyclone recovery efforts, including the recovery from Cyclone Harold. Pacific feminists are creating spaces for diverse women’s voices to be heard, and a new type of regional voice is emerging in the Pacific on gender-related issues that’s inclusive of previously marginalised voices.” And with the movement builders - Fiji Womens Rights Movement, DIVA for Equality Fiji and the International Womens Development Agency

Read the full article here - https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/regional-security-measures-include-hearing-diverse-womens-voices/

COVID-19 and Community Media: Journalism in a pandemic

“As we experience COVID-19 lockdowns and as the world comes to a pause, the media keeps us connected to our communities, to our loved ones and to the world,” says Losana Derenalagi, femLINKpacific’s Lautoka-based convenor.

As restrictions are put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19, the flow of information from a free and independent media is needed now more than ever.

“The COVID-19 crisis highlights even more the significant role of all forms of media – including community and citizen media – in the frontline battle against the virus,” says femLINK’s Executive Director, Susan Grey.

Bonita Qio, a vocal member of femLINK’s Rural Women Leaders Community Media Network, says that accurate and timely information is needed in order to ensure the safety of vulnerable communities.

“We need to know what this is (COVID-19) and what to do. The support that we will really need in a time like this is access to information and that is very important for us because information really makes a person prepare better.”

She says that when it comes to understanding safety during COVID-19 restrictions, more information is needed to end the stigma and discrimination of LGBT communities.

“There was this stigma that was associated with this virus because the first reported case, the first patient that had got the virus was a member of the LGBT community,” says Qio.

“We saw people screaming at us, telling us that we are the reason why the virus is here and this kind of social stigma really dampens your spirit because it doesn’t create this environment of cooperation.”

Reliable journalism – influenced and directed by media ethics – seeks to ensure the public remains informed to counter rumours and “fake news”. But it must also seek out accountability: in that while restrictions are in place, they must not be used to curtail freedom of the press in any way.

The press must remain free to report on the on-going pandemic and strategies to respond to COVID-19. But it must also take measures to ensure that communities are not harmed and when stories are told, the voices of the vulnerable and the showcase of their leadership must also be evident.

Guided by Section J (Women and the Media) of the Beijing Platform for Action along with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, femLINK’s team of community media workers are using radio to amplify the voices and recommendations of rural women leaders.

It's evident that access to reliable and efficient media resources can create healthier and safer communities, reduce vulnerabilities and help build the resilience communities need to navigate this pandemic and emerge better prepared in the future.

“Section J is about addressing gender inequality in the media – in and outside the newsroom,” says Sulueti Waqa femLINK’s Northern Network team leader.

Waqa adds that too often, women are portrayed as either victims of violence or only as recipients of assistance.

“They are not consulted when it comes to development or when it comes to making decisions that affect them,” she says.

“As a community media worker, it is a privilege that I cherish because I am able to bridge gender inequality gap by amplifying and advocating for the voices of women of all diversities in our communities,” shares Derenalagi, who manages close to 50 network members in the Nadi-Lautoka districts.

Waqa concludes: “This is why community media exists: so women can utilize community media as a platform to voice their concerns and share recommendations. It’s about amplifying these women as leaders.”

COVID-19 RURAL WOMEN VOICES...INTERVIEW, AMPLIFY RESPOND...

Through the #CoronaVirus #COVID19 Pandemic and Severe Tropical Cyclone Harold (Cat 4), #femLINKpacific’s rural convenors and correspondents, have been treading the various paths and teleworking as they reach out and interview the diverse network of rural women leaders who are part of femLINK’s network of Women’s Weather Watchers (WWW) in their own communities.

Fane Boseiwaqa, Losana Derenalagi, Agu Tuinasau, and Kinny Ceyaqalo spoke to our networks in some six localities and together with Frances Tawake, Rusila Lautiki and Sulueti Waqa are the frontline of femLINKpacific’s rural convenors and correspondents, that are based in the divisions documenting and amplifying the stories of diverse, rural women.

Agu Tuinasau, femLINKpacific’s Nadi/Lautoka Correspondent took time to wear another hat and join the Fiji Red Cross Society in distributing Non-Food Items (NFIs) to homes in Nasoata, Taiperia and Navutu, that were affected by storm surges during Tropical Cyclone Harold.

In an integrated approach during this cycolne season, Agu and her team also conducted community outreach on the #COVID19 Pandemic.

Also with the Fiji Red Cross, Fane Boseiwaqa, Convenor/Correspondent for the towns of Ba, Tavua and Rakiraki, this time wore her #femLINKpacific hat to interview Tavua rural women leader and President of the Tavua Red Cross Society, Rishita Devi.

A “Do No Harm” approach considering the possible effect of the pandemic on the communities and the volunteers is central to Devi’s work and her leadership.

Also in the Western Division, Losana Derenalagi, femLINK’s Convenor for Lautoka/Nadi led a personal journey to to support women that have lost employment due to the closure of resorts in the touristy town of Nadi. Losana conducted outreach and took basic food items for network members in the Narewa and Nawaka Villages and then took the route of the Nausori Highlands to conduct the same.

The arrival of Severe Tropical Cyclone Harold (Cat 4) was a double whammy to these families of which unemployment was already affecting them from the closure of the 5-star hotels on Denarau- and then the arrival of Cyclone Harold which damaged and took away the crops that they relied upon to feed themselves.

“All the families here in Narewa work on Denarau. Now life is even more difficult. Even the breadfruit which was all matured, have now been taken by Cyclone Harold,” said Elenoa Gaunavou of Narewa in Nadi.

“The village men are also looking for empty land to plant cassava because we dont know how long this (Pandemic) will go on for.” said Elenoa.

Losana and her daughter than continued on their journey to families in the Nadi Highlands.

In the Northern Division, the town of Labasa has been a hive of activity with the announcement of COVID19 confirmed cases and the lockdown of two settlements namely Soasoa and Vunicagi.

#femLINKpacific broadcaster and President of the Northern Youth Disability Forum, Jay Nasilasila, who is also a member of the House of Colors, Labasa - an LGBTQI group, outlined the moments where she did not feel safe as panic buying occurred when the first reported confirmed case was announced and the stigma that she felt as she followed the social media commentary around this case. Jay is now safely in her home in Vunivau and has stocked up on water, medicine and groceries and is now teleworking with the other members of the Northern #femLINKpacific Team.

Shifting the Power in Emergency Response

As Pacific Island Governments work on a coordinated regional response to Covid-19, Tropical Cyclone Harold, which has already hit the Solomon Islands and bears down at category 5 level on Vanuatu, the region faces a stark reminder that climate related disasters remain a major security threat.

In the Solomon Islands, Shifting the Power Coalition national focal point, Lisa Horiwapu joined her community of West ‘Are’are constituency in Malaita Province in mourning the loss of the 27 lives swept overboard on the inter-island ferry MV Taimareho which set sail from Honiara late on Thursday night.

Horipwau says that food, shelter and personal items are needed for communities most affected by the cyclone: “As the repatriation continued, TC Harold came along and brought yet another disaster. Food security is already a worry for mothers in Honiara because of possible lock down if the country has a confirmed Covid-19 case. TC Harold caused heavy rains and more damage to food gardens.”

Information is vital for local communities says Horiwapu. This must be in local language, as well as accessible for people with disabilities and focus on reaching more remote communities.

In Vanuatu, Shifting the Power Coalition member, ActionAid Vanuatu has taken a leading role to ensure women are informed and prepared to respond to the twin threats of TC Harold and Covid-19.

"Through Women Wetem Weta (Women's Weather Watch), Ni-Vanuatu women have been able to alert communities to the risk of Covid-19. Now we are preparing our families and communities for the cyclone with the devastation caused by TC Pam fresh in our memories. We are concerned though as communication with some of islands is already down," said Flora Vano, Country Manager, ActionAid Vanuatu.

"Young women are particularly vulnerable at this moment. Many have already lost their daily wage through the closure of markets and food stalls as a result of Covid-19," said Sabrina Brown, CEO of Vanuatu Young Women for Change, also a member of the STP Coalition. “This cyclone will only make the situation worse with an urgent need for financial assistance and food relief for already desperate families.”

“This situation is unprecedented and is an opportunity for the Pacific humanitarian response to be innovative and inclusive,” says Shifting the Power Coalition Technical Adviser, Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, who is also the Pacific representative and Board Chair of the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC).

“Our network’s initial assessment, even before the onset of TC Harold had identified the need for bringing together peace, development and humanitarian agendas in line with the commitments of Pacific Forum Leaders to the Women, Peace and Security agenda, the Boe Declaration and the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific. This situation highlights how climate, health and economic crises are connecting and disproportionately impacting women's lives.”

The Shifting the Power Coalition brings together 13 women-led civil society organisations from six countries in the region with a focus on supporting women's leadership in preparing for and responding to humanitarian crises. StPC members are currently on the ground promoting awareness of Covid-19 and hygiene measures, and are now mobilising in affected countries to respond to TC Harold, which is expected to impact on four countries in the region over the coming week.

Mobile contacts:

Lisa Horiwapu +677 7469330
Flora Vano +678 5554369
Sabrina Brown +678 5223250
Sharon Bhagwan Rolls +6797497169

COVID19 Diary - In Search of Markets That Sell - Rakiraki and Tavua women market vendors

By Fane Boseiwaqa. Convenor and Correspondent, femLINKpacific

Its early Saturday (28/03/2020) morning in the Tavua Market and I managed to speak to some of the women market vendors, who are members of femLINKpacific’s Rural Women Leaders Community Media Network (RWLCMN). I first met Verenaisi Vuabau of Rakiraki who had arrived in Tavua to sell her vegetables.

“The reason is that we can make some sales here. In Rakiraki there are less people coming to buy, and many of the businesses have been closing since last Thursday," said Verenaisi.

" I plant most of the produce I sell. But trying to sell some produce at this time is quite difficult" added Vuabau

Also in the Tavua Market on Saturday was Unaisi Bakewa. Unaisi is a Tavua Market Vendor.

Unaisi spoke about the increasing difficulties of buying produce from the farmers due to the increasingly irregular bus service.

"We are finding it difficult to buy our produce from the farmers who usually get the produce to the vendors at the market as now there have been no bus services over the past few days for most of the rural communities in this area ,” said Unaisi.

"I usually buy most of the produce I sell here. It is quite expensive as well. Before I usually buy bhaigan for $20 a bag. Now it's $30- $50 bag.

Unaisi explained that the price increases in the market since COVID-19 have reached 100 per cent increases.

“Long bean is usually $12 a dozen. Now it's $24doz.” “Bhaji/Bhindi was $2 a kg. “Now its $5 a kilo. Ginger was $3kg. Now its $5 a kilo."

“We vendors are facing difficulties in buying our produce from the farmers due the increase in the price" added Bakewa.

Verenaisi Vuabau and Unaisi Bakewa are representatives of womens’ organisations that are part of femLINKpacific’s network called the Rural Women Leaders Community Media Network (RWLCMN).

Over 600 rural diverse women in Fiji are part of the network and have been convening on a monthly basis documenting and amplifying their human security issues in order to make transformative change.

The Fijian Government had on Thursday, 26/03/20 presented a supplementary budget in its COVID-19 response.

femLINKpacific also made a submission to the COVID-19 budget targetting rural communities which are defined as communities that struggle to access transportation, medical facilities and shopping centres, informal settlements and densely populated areas. The focused group being elderly persons, persons with pre-existing health conditions, persons living in poverty, persons living in disability and women.