Today, as we mark International Women’s Day, we are reminded that while we celebrate the achievements of women, we must also confront the harsh realities that continue to define the lives of too many women and girls in Fiji.
The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre is deeply concerned that gender inequality and the rise of exclusionary politics are further exacerbating our nation’s vulnerability in addressing serious violations of women’s human rights.
Progress toward gender equality remains slow, and violence against women and girls continues with impunity.
Entrenched patriarchal norms remain at the heart of this crisis. Fiji continues to operate within a deeply patriarchal social structure, underpinned by religious and cultural attitudes that reinforce harmful gender roles and limit women’s full participation in society.
These norms perpetuate discrimination and create an environment in which violence against women is tolerated, minimised, or ignored. While we have strong legislation and protection orders in place to address violence against women and girls, implementation remains weak.
Poor law enforcement, particularly in cases involving violence against women, undermines the intent of our legal framework. Laws alone are not enough — they must be effectively enforced, and survivors must receive timely, consistent, and rights-based support.
I have watched over the years IWD being commemorated with the first ever commemoration being in 1986, it has become more of celebrating the achievers and the already privileged and we seem to be losing the spirit and the original focus of IWD. While we celebrate achievements, often through the hard work of the much maligned activists and feminists, who have created an enabling environment for women to achieve their dreams.
We must also acknowledge the fact that the oppression of women and girls is a long way from being over.
The struggle is getting harder with human rights and democratic spaces shrinking globally, regionally and nationally and misogyny rearing its ugly head everywhere.
I ask for women’s solidarity, let those of us who have a voice and a platform raise our voices and stand in solidarity for ourselves, and for all those women and girls who do not yet have a voice. I ask men to join the struggle as allies and advocates for in our freedom lies your freedom.
Have a peaceful and reflective IWD!
Women of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre. Picture: ANASEINI DIMATE
