Tabuya urges stronger action to combat gender-based violence and women empowerment in the Pacific

Gender-based violence remains a critical concern and there is an need for stronger legislation, digital safety measures, and survivor-centred services to combat these challenges effectively.

Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya stated this while speaking during a Pacific Delegation Meeting with the UN Women Executive Director in Bangkok, ahead of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review, where she highlighted systemic barriers hindering women’s progress.

She says these include unpaid care work, limited access to formal employment, and unequal access to financial and technical resources.

She adds that this has affected over 60 percent of women in some Pacific nations, alongside a growing rise in online technology-facilitated abuse.

Tabuya stresses that achieving gender equality requires dismantling these cultural and systemic barriers, not merely introducing policies.

She also outlined key initiatives launched by Fiji, including the National Action Plan to prevent violence against women and girls, Women's Economic Empowerment National Action Plan, Gender-Responsive Planning and Budgeting and Country Gender Assessment.

Tabuya reaffirmed Fiji’s commitment to gender equality and its dedication to creating an inclusive environment where women can thrive.