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The Fiji Women's
Rights Movement (FWRM) has been described as a feminist non-governmental
organization that combines local concerns with a global perspective.
FWRM was born in 1986. A group of women, many of whom were
working with the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre (FWCC) were its founding
mothers. Of particular concern to these women were the inadequate
laws aimed at the so called protection of women. Determined to redress
the imbalances of women's socio-economic and political status the group
set about campaigning and lobbying for legislative and attitudinal change
in Fiji.
From
those early beginnings FWRM has kept busy...
Campaigning
for Anti-Discrimination legislation (Sexual discrimination against women
became unlawful in the Fiji Constitution of 1990)
- Demystifying the legal
language of Family Law, explaining the legal processes of marriage,
divorce and child custody in local courts (Producing printed
materials and mass media presentations in Fiji's three vernacular
languages; these are now used as prototypes in other Pacific island
countries. An FWRM member was appointed by Government as Family Law
Commissioner)
- Hosting regional seminars
and training workshops (Women and the Law in the Pacific 1994,
Pacific Women in Politics Regional Roundtable 1994, Women, Law and
Development 1995)
- Campaigning for the
ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of
Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) (The Fiji Government ratified
CEDAW in 1995)
- Mobilizing public opinion
to change the citizenship laws of Fiji, which blatantly
discriminated against women (Equality in citizenship rights came
into effect with Fiji's new Constitution in July 1998)
- Drafting a Sexual
Offences Bill and campaigning for the support of 16 women's
organizations (The draft Bill was presented to the Commissioner
responsible for the Penal Code. The Fiji Law Reform Commission is
currently reviewing this draft legislation, to be tabled in
Parliament)
- Participating in
international networks in support of women's rights (16 Days of
Action Against Violence, Thursdays in Black, International Labour
Organization Working Group on Women Workers, Steering Council of
Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD)
- Researching and
publishing information to raise public awareness and debate on
women's legal and human rights (Labouring Under the Law, Law for
Pacific Women, Fishing for Justice, Family Law and Legal Literacy,
WEER brochures (Women's Economic and Employment Rights) on Sexual
Harassment, Domestic
Workers, Garment Workers, Maternity Leave)
[A full listing of our
activities appears under Services]
Young Mission Statement
FWRM
is a multiethnic and multicultural non-governmental organization
committed to removing discrimination against women through institutional
reforms and attitudinal changes. By means of core programs as well as
innovative approaches, the Movement practices and promotes feminism,
democracy, the rule of law, good governance and human rights. It strives
to empower, unite and provide leadership opportunities for women in Fiji,
especially for emerging young leaders. The Movement's Vision is for the
women of Fiji to be free from all forms of discrimination have equal
access to opportunities and to live in a healthy environment where the
principles of feminism, democracy, good governance, multi-culturalism and
human rights prevail.
Purpose
The
purpose of the Movement is to work towards the elimination of all forms
of discrimination against women, promote the equality of women, and
support democracy and human rights in all areas in Fiji and the Pacific
Island region.
Objectives
The
objectives of the Movement shall be:
- To publicly address all
issues affecting women's human rights, status and opportunity within
Fiji including cultural, domestic, legal, social, health, economic,
employment, religious and political situations;
- To advice improved policy
and legislation on issues affecting women's rights;
- To promote equal access
to services by women and equal opportunity through appropriate
enabling actions; and
- To ensure the Movement
remains a well managed and sustainable organization, giving
leadership opportunities to women, networking and sharing
experiences with others in the Pacific, regionally and
internationally.
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