A call for more gender main-streaming in the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces has been made by the Minister for Women Mereseini Vuniwaqa.
She made the call at the Gender, Violence Against Women and Human Rights Training for the RFMF at the Pearl Resort in Pacific Harbour today.
Vuniwaqa says approximately one in every 10 soldiers in the RFMF today are females compared to the ratio 10 years ago which was 1 female to 26 males.
She says this ratio becomes even more skewed if we are to consider those females who are in positions of leadership and who actually influence decision making in the military.
Vuniwaqa says she hopes that training on gender becomes part and parcel of every basic recruit training done by the RFMF.
She adds that it is important for male soldiers to be attuned to gender issues as peacekeepers become the first persons to come in contact with women who are in need of humanitarian and protective assistance.
The Minister also stressed that RFMF officers should uphold human rights and be gender sensitive at all times.
28 RFMF officers are part of the workshop.
