The National Youth Council of Fiji has called for four constitutionally protected youth seats in Parliament, saying that young people have been shut out of the country’s highest decision-making body despite making up a large number of the population.
Speaking on behalf of the council during submissions to the Constitution Review Commission, representative Joseph Fonorito said youth representation should no longer depend on the goodwill of political parties.
“Young people remain significantly underrepresented in Parliament and national decision-making,” he said.
Mr Fonorito proposed that two of the four seats be filled through the Youth Assemblies of Fiji and two through the Provincial Youth Forums of Fiji.
He said young people were routinely relied on during election campaigns but rarely given meaningful influence after the votes were counted.
“Young people are often used during campaigns as volunteers, mobilisers and supporters, yet they are rarely given a real seat at the decision-making table.”
The council also wants the Constitution amended to require every registered political party to maintain at least 30 per cent youth representation in its membership, leadership structures or candidate development process.
“Young people should not only be engaged as campaign workers during elections, they should be involved in policy development, manifesto drafting, candidate selection, internal party leadership and national political decision making.”
He said only a small number of MPs elected in 2022 were under the age of 35, proving that youth participation “cannot be left to chance”.
The council also recommended guaranteed youth representation on public boards, advisory bodies and national committees to ensure young people have a permanent voice in shaping government policies.
