Ministers Address
- Donor Matrix Meeting
- Primary Care Stress Management Clinic
- National Health Research Consultation on Improving Health Research Management Governance and Data Sharing
- International Womens Day
- Children’s Heart Foundation
- Gandhi Day Celebration
- Health Promoting Workplace
- Pacific Eye Institute/CWM Hospital Eye Centre
- New Diabetes Eye Care Clinic at Sukuna Ward
- World Food Day Celebrations
- Visitation for Mahaffy Girls Home
- Emergency Care Assistant Course
- Fiji Food Summit 2009
- National Health Workshop
- National Breastfeeding and Immunisation Wk
- National Health Accounts
- Fiji White Ribbon Safe Motherhood Initiative
- Post Grad Dip in Midwifery Inaugural
- National NCD Training of Trainers
- 160 Bicycles from Japan to Fiji
International Womens Day
- 08/03/2010
International Women's Day Celebrations
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Guests
Colleagues
Students
Ladies and Gentlemen
We have gathered to celebrate International Women’s Day in Suva. This event is celebrated in many countries around the world. This day, we salute all women for their achievements irrespective of who they are. On this occasion we review past progress of women’s development, and more importantly looking ahead at the opportunities that await future generations of women in Fiji.
This year’s theme is: Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities, and Progress for All. I would like to highlight the progressive work the State has carried out for the empowerment of women in Fiji since the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, improving on targets towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and becoming signatory to the Convention on the elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). This has been guiding our work in ensuring that our domestic laws and policies are of international standards. More importantly, that we meet our current social needs and challenges.
Under the National Policy Framework of the Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development (RDSSED) 2009- 2014.
We are committed to implement policies to achieve the Vision of “A Better Fiji for All”. In working towards achieving the goal of Gender Equality and Women and Development, the State looks to achieving full participation in business and decision-making process through entrepreneurial support in non-formal and formal sectors and decision making processes. As we move towards a new decade, policies on women are now incorporated into the Women’s Plan of Action 2010-2019 which will further progress the efforts by the Government in achieving the objectives of our international commitments which are incorporated into our National Policy Framework.
Despite challenges, the Government has made significant developments. In relation to women in the informal sector, Government has mandated our Central Bank to hold national consultations with stakeholders with the objective of receiving constructive outcomes. Of the 24,000 beneficiaries of the Small and Micro Finance Scheme, 90% are women.
In targeting the 30% representation of women in all boards and committees, slowly progressing, at the community level, there are more than 300 women who are members of Hospital Boards introducing them to sitting at decision-making bodies. Women are also represented in all spheres of the civil service. Fiji continues to value the significant contribution and the role of our women serving in UN Peace keeping Mission abroad. In addition there are plans to address women representation in Parliament in future.