WUNRN
Via femLINKpacific
FIJI - May 6, 2008
FIJI - WOMEN TO BE REPRESENTED IN
NATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY MATTERS
The representation of women in all aspects of national peace
and security matters is critical.
In view of this, the Fiji Cabinet has agreed that the Minister responsible for
women, gender and development, be part of the National Security Council.
Cabinet also agreed to the inclusion of the Permanent Secretary responsible for
women, gender and development and the Head of Department at divisional
and district level in the ‘Officials’ committee.
Cabinet based its decision on a submission by the Minister for Health, Women
and Social Welfare, Dr Jiko Luveni.
Dr Luveni said that women in Fiji have not been a visible part of the
‘official’ or Government’s peace building and conflict management.
“Women and girls experience security and the absence of it in different ways.
“Data shows that violence against women continues to be a scourge in the lives
of women and girls. Police data shows the challenges women face in ordinary
times.
“There is circumstantial evidence that in the times of political unrest rape
and other forms of sexual violence perpetrated on women are unreported.”
She said that it is, therefore, important to have a female representation in
the National Security Council of Fiji which plays a pivotal role as the highest
body in the land tasked with decision making for security matters for the
nation.
She also said that the inclusion of gender mainstreaming in all security
discourse including the training of Peacekeepers and the participation of women
in the security discussion will result in peace building at all levels of
society.
Dr Jiko said that Fiji endorsed and is party to the Beijing Declaration and
Platform for Action (1995) which addresses under section E, Women and Armed
Conflict in addition the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women (1979) provides for women’s human rights.
“The UN Security Council Resolution 1325 adopted in October 2000 specifically
addresses and commits UN State parties and the UN machinery to incorporating
gender concerns."
Fiji has also endorsed regional agreements that address women, peace and
security concerns.
She also said that Social Justice, Affirmative Action and the Human Rights of
women are entrenched in the Constitution of Fiji.
“However, the application of the provisions of the Constitution continues to
leave women lagging behind and the principles of gender equality are not met.”
Dr Jiko said that women are mothers, teachers, doctors and nurses, police
officers, soldiers and peacekeepers, lawyers and legislators, and they have the
capacity to contribute to peace and security concerns.
She said that peace and security are basic requirements of nation building and
the representation on merit, of women who constitute 50% of the population in
its power structure is vital for the wholesome development of the nation.
BACKGROUND: In 2003,
the Submission from the Fiji Women, Peace and Security Coordinating Committee
called for:
- In line with the Public Service Commission guidelines of equal employment opportunities, that there is a open and transparent recruitment of personnel, by gender and ethnicity, ensuring balanced and fair treatment of applicants
-
National Security and
Defence mechanisms and institutions are made aware of the role of the Women,
Peace and Security Coordinating Committee, to assist in not only ensuring a
more gender sensitive approach but also ensuring a clear channel of
communication for the women of
- The Minister for Women be included as a member of the National Security Council
- The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women is a permanent member of a/the National Security Advisory Committee
- That there is effective and equitable representation of the diversities of women of Fiji on Provincial/Divisional, District/Local level Security Committees; The selection of such representation be made in consultation with the Fiji Women, Peace and Security Coordinating Committee, which is inclusive of Government and women’s NGOs, including the National Council of Women Fiji and the Soqosoqo Vakamarama I Taukei
- That women are represented in the Analyst Section of the Police Special Branch and National Security Assessment Unit; women NGOs are also considered as advisers to such units; The selection of such representation be made in consultation with the Fiji Women, Peace and Security Coordinating Committee, which is inclusive of Government and women’s NGOs, including the National Council of Women Fiji and the Soqosoqo Vakamarama I Taukei
-
To ensure there is a
gender balance in the decision making levels of the Security Forces, all
efforts are made towards ‘affirmative action’ in the recruitment of women to
the Fiji Police Force as well as the
- To assist in allaying the fears of the general public requires greater transparency regarding the role of National Security Council; We therefore recommend, that regular public updates are provided to the general public, in the three languages, so that the public of Fiji do not have to rely on rumour mongering or emotive statements which are circulated through the local press.
- In accordance with the principles of Good Governance and Democracy, and because all citizens of Fiji have a role to play in contributing towards effective conflict prevention, we further recommend that all future legislation, including National Security Bill must be translated into Hindustani and Fijian to ensure in depth public consultation and awareness raising (no repeats of the C97 excuse)
-
Recognising the role of
the Fiji Police Force in providing a police service that is based on the needs
of the community within which it serves, and as a crime prevention tool, a more
analytical approach is taken to not only ensure improved and effective
resourcing for not only its community policing work but also undertake the necessary
information collation/analysis in a conflict prevention role.
- We recommend the use of the Restorative Justice Model especially for juvenile and first time offenders, as well as in the current process of the inquiry into the coup of May 2000 as well as considered as a vital component of the national reconciliation process. However, this needs to be undertaken in conjunction with retributive justice as well. It is the healing of relationships and there should be emphasis on this. Technical and financial resourcing, personnel and training should be mobilized for members of all the security forces and NGOS. It should also be inclusive of men and women.
- Taking into account that poverty is recognised as a critical cause of conflict, we further recommend that an open and transparent review of trade agreements (regional and international) is undertaken to ensure that all workers are protected and to ensure there is no detrimental impacts that would exacerbate current poverty levels
- Recognising that national security and defence mechanisms include the protection of our vulnerable natural resources (especially land and marine resources), we recommend that environmental issues, be given the same importance of protection and management, in an accountable and transparent manner.
- We further recommend that new legislation regarding environmental protection / security must have clear and open consultation with CSO/NGOs in the initial drafting and subsequent public consultations
- That there is a strict “regulation” of use of arms especially guns / arming of special unit; strict gun and armoury control and clearance procedures (police/army/navy); Furthermore, in order to ensure that the public is kept informed of the regulations and controls, clear and accurate information is made available to the public, either through the various media forms or upon requests from the public/individuals
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