The Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) wants the Constitution amended to guarantee 40 per cent representation of women in Parliament and other decision-making bodies, saying Fiji is now paying the price for failing to include more women in leadership.
Presenting submission to the Constitutional Review Commission yesterday, chairman Ratu Viliame Seruvakula said Fiji was “simply reaping what we sow”.
“We took our eyes off the ball in governing,” he said.
Ratu Viliame said women had been underrepresented in decision-making since before Independence, with Fiji now ranking 165 out of 181 countries for women’s representation in Parliament.
He said women were more likely to focus on education, health, welfare and families, while men tended to prioritise the economy and development.
“If we look since Independence, health and education sits at the bottom of the budget line, while everything else is above that.
So, it is of little wonder we are facing social challenges today.”
The GCC submission proposes 40 per cent representation of women in Parliament, governance and municipal councils.
Ratu Viliame said municipal councils would give women the chance to prove their leadership abilities before entering national politics.
“Going straight to Parliament is a bit of a bridge too fast in some cases, but we definitely need the municipal councils for representation of women, where women can showcase their abilities to the people, that they can run, that they can contribute effectively in decision making process.”
He said greater participation by women in decision-making would help bring a better balance to governance and strengthen the country’s response to social issues.
