The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre has strongly condemned a controversial ‘traditional’ law in the vanua of Qoibau in Labasa, banning women from drinking kava.
FWCC co-ordinator Shamima Ali called the move outrageous and a major setback for women’s rights in the country.
“It is outrageous that women still have to go through discriminatory practices such as these in this modern day and age,” she said.
Ms Ali said Fiji had ratified key international conventions, including the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, yet unfair laws and policies were still being allowed to exist.
“For a country that prides itself on these commitments, it is unbelievable and ridiculous to see that discriminatory by-laws continue to thrive.
“This is a very sad day for women’s empowerment in our country.”
It is among new traditional rules aimed at restoring discipline and reinforcing community order.
It was agreed to during a meeting in Nakorowiri last month and formed part of a wider written code governing behaviour across villages in the vanua.
The new rules impose strict measures on alcohol consumption, noise levels, dress standards and kava consumption as part of efforts to strengthen traditional authority.
Ms Ali said all laws and policies must be fair, just, and aligned with Fiji’s Constitution, which guaranteed protection from discrimination and upheld the right to equality.
“We must not forget that policies and by-laws must not supersede our national laws and the rights afforded to us under the Constitution.”
She warned such practices would only deepen gender inequality in a society already shaped by patriarchal norms.
“Allowing these kinds of restrictions will further entrench inequality and can lead to more violence against women and girls because of harmful gender power dynamics.”
She has called on Government, particularly the Ministry of Women, to intervene and ensure women’s rights were protected.
iTaukei Affairs Minister Ifereimi Vasu said he had directed the Roko Tui Macuata to visit the area and engage with traditional leaders following the controversy over the rule.
Mr Vasu said he was only made aware of this while reading the newspaper.
