Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry says a lot of lip service is paid to the political and economic empowerment of women in Fiji because it is the politically correct thing to do.
While speaking at the Party’s Women’s Wing launch, Chaudhry says women in Fiji may not have been victims of wars but we do have countless women who are victims of poverty, gender discrimination, human trafficking, drug abuse, domestic and sexual violence and other forms of exploitation and social insecurity.
He says they are alarmed at the increasing rate of violence against women and children and the new dimensions these have taken with the emergence of human trafficking.
Chaudhry says they are also concerned about the poverty line wages paid to women employees in factories, shops, offices and as domestic workers.
He says we all know that in Fiji our democratic rights are restricted and people cannot take to the streets to protest whenever the need arises.
Chaudhry says we need to apply for permits and these are not easily available, even for peaceful protests.
He says a Fiji Labour Party Government intends to set up a separate Ministry for Women and Children in recognition of their importance in society.
The FLP Leader adds they will ensure the Ministry is adequately resourced in terms of funds and personnel to deliver a range of services and programmes for the upliftment of women and children at the grassroots level.
Chaudhry says considering poor wages is the root cause of poverty, the first step to tackling poverty will be to enact fair wages for women working in factories and shops and to tackle gender discriminatory practices in the workplace.
He says they know that the feminisation of poverty is now a critical issue as women make up the highest number of those living in poverty without access to basic services.
Meanwhile Sai Vulawalu is the President of the Party’s Women's Wing, Cathy Doughty is the Vice President, Sheenam Prakash is the Treasurer while Milika Nasilivata is the Secretary.
