By Selita Bolanavanua
Executive Director of Femlink Pacific, Fay Volatabu is urging political party leaders to provide support for women.
She highlighted that Fiji lacks a general quota or reserved seats in Parliament for women, placing the responsibility on political parties to nominate female candidates.
“Political parties, please, you have a role to play. Let’s talk about breaking barriers and increasing female participation in local government,” she said.
Volatabu also called on news editors to be more women-sensitive and focused in the stories they write or publish.
She suggested that 50 percent of news stories should feature women, particularly those in leadership roles who are making a positive impact in their communities.
She further encouraged women leaders to step up, support other women, and mentor young people.
“A lot of young people are lost. They don’t want to be part of the election process because they don’t see women they can look up to. Even if you can’t stand for elections because of personal reasons, you can still be a mentor,” she said.
“I’m calling on you, please, put up your hand and lift up another young woman who needs your hand to pull her up,” she added.
Volatabu emphasised that only by breaking these barriers can Sustainable Development Goal 5.5—ensuring women’s full and effective participation, as well as equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of political, economic, and public decision-making—be achieved.
