TWENTY per cent of seats in Parliament should be reserved for women to ensure fair representation.
Retired schoolteacher, Ralifo Nasario of Noatau, made this suggestion during the public consultation by the Fiji Law Reform Commission on the review of electoral laws in Rotuma.
He told this newspaper that without reserved seats, women faced significant barriers to getting elected.
“I was looking at 20 per cent,” he said.
“And why? Well, because I realised that it’s good for women to have a seat in Parliament.
“But if we go for the voting, they have less chance of getting into the Parliament.”
Mr Nasario noted there were currently no reserved seats for women, and this limited their role and input in national decision-making.
“Women need to also be part of decision making for our nation, not just men.”
Mr Nasario believes setting a minimum number of seats aside for women could lead to more inclusive leadership and better representation.
