Fiji: Conversations On Civic Education And Tsms

Conversations On Civic Education And Tsms

Sixty women leaders representing women from all across the country united today at the 2nd Fiji Consultation on Women’s Participation in National Democratic Processes (Women’s Forum), making their position clear on the urgent need to start the gender inclusive civic education process and the need to integrate temporary special measures to promote 50% women’s political participation at national and local government levels.

The Forum is co-convened by the Fiji Women's Rights Movement, FemLINKPacific, National Council of Women and Soqosoqo Vakamarama i Taukei.

It also reaffirms the following four points that were agreed upon by the participants of the inaugural national Women’s Forum held in April:

1.1 Respect for human rights.

1.2 Defining the role of the security forces.

1.3 Promotion of women’s participation in decision-making and democratization processes including Temporary Special Measures.

1.4 A rights based, respectful, open and participatory constitution making process.

During the first day, participants engaged in comprehensive discussions on civic education and the benefits of having TSM’s. TSM’s can be applied at any level of government; however, the strategy towards advocating for these measures depends on the electoral system Fiji will adopt.

At the conclusion of the meeting tomorrow, the Women’s Forum will formulate a collaborative approach, clearly identifying plans towards achieving progress in the four critical areas that were identified by the Forum earlier.

An agreed follow-up Outcomes Statement will also be issued.

ENDS

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