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Fijian women still face Human Rights violations: Vuniwaqa

August 26, 2019 1:01 pm

Girls and women empowerment is fundamental in achieving equality in all segments of society.

Minister for women Mereseini Vuniwaqa says Fiji has made huge strides in the area of women’s development and gender equality.

Despite the ongoing empowerment programs in the country, Vuniwaqa highlighted that Fijian women are still faced with great violations of their human rights.

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“Especially in the form of gender-based violence and this will remain an area of priority for Government so that we can fully realize the essence of Women’s Equality Day. This will need the participation and commitment of each and every one of us to break the silence on violence against women so that they can fully enjoy their human rights as they deserve to.”

Vuniwaqa says Fijian women are achieving great levels of educational attainment and breaking barriers informal sector employment, parliamentary representation, and entrepreneurship.

“This day is an important time to reflect on our achievements as a nation but also recognize the challenges and gaps and unite to work towards achieving women’s equality in all spheres.”

She adds the Government has a mechanism in the form of laws, international obligations, local policies, and government-led programs to achieve gender equality and for the empowerment of women.