Minister for Women and Children Mereseini Vuniwaqa

The Minister for Women and Children says the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is being disproportionately felt by women.

In her International Women’s Day message, Mereseini Vuniwaqa says the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated and amplified gender inequalities with women and girls facing increased domestic violence, unpaid care duties, unemployment and poverty.

She says the pandemic has also highlighted the importance of the role of women in holding our societies together as they carry out their diverse responsibilities.

The Minister adds that 63 percent of health workers, 80 percent of social workers and 85 percent of market vendors in Fiji are women.

Vuniwaqa says changing attitudes is fundamental to achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls.

She adds the government recognizes the gendered impact of COVID-19 and is prioritizing the importance of gender-responsive national recovery plans and the critical role that women and girls play in building resilience.