Women must be active participants in discussions on constitutional reform, the proposed referendum and Fiji’s democratic future.
This was highlighted by Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission (FHRADC) Commissioner Chantelle Khan during the Commission’s Women’s Rights Dialogue held in Lautoka last Wednesday.
The dialogue brought together grassroots women leaders, civil society organisations, women’s rights advocates, organisations of persons with disabilities, community representatives and networks working to advance equality and inclusion.
Khan says Fiji is going through an important period of national discussions that would influence how the country is governed, how rights are protected and how decisions affecting future generations are made.
She says women must not be spectators in these national conversations; they must be active participants.
She emphasised that women’s voices must be heard in discussions about constitutional reform, democratic participation, leadership and the future direction of the country.
Khan says meaningful participation went beyond simply inviting women to consultations; it required ensuring that women had access to information, could freely express their views and were genuinely heard in decision-making processes.
She also highlighted the persistent challenges facing women in Fiji, including gender-based violence, discrimination, unequal opportunities and barriers to accessing justice.
She says these challenges were often greater for women in rural and remote communities, women with disabilities and those experiencing multiple forms of disadvantage.
Khan stressed the importance of listening to women’s lived experiences and ensuring that those most affected by inequality were central to developing practical solutions.
The Western Division dialogue followed a similar engagement held in Suva last Monday.
The discussions from both dialogues will contribute to the development of the Commission’s Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Strategy and inform its upcoming strategic planning process.
Khan says the insights gathered would help shape the Commission’s priorities, strengthen its advocacy and guide its work in promoting and protecting human rights.
She says that, at a time when Fiji is discussing its democratic and constitutional future, women’s voices must not only be included but must genuinely count.
The Commission has reaffirmed that a more equal, inclusive and just Fiji could not be achieved without the full and meaningful participation of women.
