Concerns that women were increasingly drinking more kava than men, along with reports of neglected children and declining family discipline, have been cited as key reasons behind a controversial ban on women drinking kava in the vanua of Qoibau, Labasa.
The decision forms part of a new set of traditional laws known as the lawa ni Qoibau, agreed to during a meeting in Nakorowiri Village last month.
The laws are aimed at restoring discipline, reinforcing community order, and regulating behaviour across all villages under the vanua. They also introduce strict measures on alcohol consumption, noise levels, dress standards, and kava use, as leaders seek to strengthen traditional authority.
A clan head from Vunimoli, Veresa Saudrugu, said the ban was necessary to address growing social concerns within the community.
“There was a reason why women were banned from drinking grog,” he said.
“Children were no longer listening and were not well looked after. This is due to women abusing grog.”
He claimed that in many households, both parents were attending kava sessions, leaving children unsupervised.
“When there is a grog session, children are left at home and no one is keeping an eye on them. The father and mother are both out drinking grog.”
Mr Saudrugu further alleged that women in the village were now consuming more kava than men.
“We had raised in a village meeting that no women of Vunimoli used to drink grog. Women who have recently married into the village are the ones drinking.
“Children have lost their manners as well.”
Mr Saudrugu acknowledged that both parents share responsibility in raising and disciplining children.
He said the decision was not taken lightly and was endorsed by all four tribes across the eight villages within the vanua of Qoibau.
