The Minster for Women Mereseini Vuniwaqa has called on members of various government ministries to make concerted efforts to address discriminatory practices which are still embedded in our society, work places and at different levels of development.
Vuniwaqa had earlier pointed out how women applying for jobs sometimes get asked questions about their marital status, how many children they have, if single‑ whether they intend to get married in the near future and these such questions wouldn’t be asked of their male counterparts.
She says that most discriminatory practices sit on such a platform of gender stereotyping.
While officially opening the first CEDAW Working Committee, Vuniwaqa also told the participants that they have the opportunity to understand the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women and why it is important to Fiji.
CEDAW is the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women.
Vuniwaqa says that the first CEDAW Working Committee is one that has been set up to look at efforts made by Fiji to promote gender equality and empowerment of women.
She says the committee will assist the Ministry of Women provide a report which shows the picture of Fiji's adherence to CEDAW which will be presented to the UN in Geneva in 2022.
The Minister also pointed out that to the Fijian women it means empowering them in their workplaces, communities and homes through programs by government and Non Government Organisations that is celebrating International Women's Day.
Vuniwaqa also highlighted that Fiji has significantly progressed and developed strides of legal, political, electoral and economical reforms with best practices regarding governments commitment towards gender equality and women's empowerment.
