The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre is calling on the Fiji Government to withdraw the current draft Constitution, take seriously the feedback already given by the people, and return with a proposal that genuinely reflects Fiji’s evolving democracy and the aspirations of Fijians in all their diversity.
FWCC Coordinator Shamima Ali says you cannot claim to be strengthening democracy while losing sight of the very people democracy is meant to serve.
She says people are struggling with the rising cost of living, poverty remains a serious concern for families and communities, health infrastructure and services are under pressure, while many communities continue to face unreliable access to basic services, including water and cimate pressures, including El-Nino conditions, are adding to the challenges people already face.
She says these are the everyday realities of people trying to provide for their families, access essential services and cope with increasing financial pressures.
The Coordinator says the constitutional change is consuming the national conversation while urgent economic, social and environmental pressures continue to affect families and communities.
She says this almost seems, deliberate to distract people from the real issues.
FWCC is calling for a constitutional process that listens meaningfully to the people, respects the diversity of views across Fiji, and strengthens public confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.
They add that any Constitution must embrace the universal human rights of all people.
