Women in Fiji, particularly victims of gender-based violence, continue to face serious hurdles in seeking justice, the UN CEDAW Committee has warned.
In its recent findings on Fiji published on Monday, the committee highlighted challenges such as high legal costs, limited legal aid, geographic isolation, and a lack of trust in the judiciary and police as major obstacles for women seeking justice.
The committee noted that family court proceedings in Fiji are often protracted, delaying justice for women.
Additionally, it expressed concern over the absence of more women judges and the establishment of mobile courts, which can serve Fiji’s remote maritime area.
“Fiji must tackle financial, linguistic, procedural, and socio-cultural barriers to justice by simplifying legal processes, reducing costs, and ensuring affordable or free legal aid, especially for disadvantaged groups and women in remote and outer island communities,” said CEDAW.
Fiji has been told to enhance independent, effective, and gender-responsive complaint mechanisms, raise awareness among women about available remedies, and provide training for judges, police, and other officials on women’s human rights and gender-sensitive investigation techniques to address judicial gender bias.
CEDAW urged Fiji to increase the frequency and coverage of mobile courts in remote and maritime areas, leverage technology for long-distance court hearings, and implement measures, including temporary special measures, to appoint more women judges, particularly to mobile courts.
