PM Rabuka reaffirms Fiji’s Commitment to Gender Equality at UN High-level meeting

New York, 22 September 2025 — Fiji’s objectives for the advancement of women are focused on key areas such as poverty, education, health, capacity building, violence against women, women and armed conflict, women and the economy, women in power and decision-making, human rights of women, women and the media, and women and wellbeing of the girl child.

Prime Minister Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka made these remarks while delivering his address at the High-Level Meeting commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women at the United Nations General Assembly Hall today.

The high-level week of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly commences today with the commemoration of thirty years of the Beijing Platform for Action.

In his address, Prime Minister Rabuka described the Beijing Conference as a historic milestone in the global movement for gender equality, underscoring that it remains a guiding framework for advancing the rights and empowerment of women and girls.

“Within those critical areas, Fiji is making progress on its commitment to an inclusive environment, ensuring gender equality through family law reforms and adopting laws such as Fiji’s Domestic Violence Act 2009, the Child Welfare Act 2010, and the Employment Relations Act, as well as other national regulations addressing violence against women, child protection, and employment rights,” said Hon. Rabuka.

“Today is a celebration — a celebration of the invaluable contributions that women make in our lives. But it is also a solemn reminder of the urgent need to eliminate violence, discrimination, and inequality that persist in many societies.”

He emphasised that gender equality must begin with strong political will and accountability from leaders, stressing that women, who comprise more than half of the world’s population, should never have their empowerment debated or delayed.

The Prime Minister further stated that Fiji’s current legal and institutional frameworks provide adequate protection for women and girls, enabling the government institutions and authorities to address discrimination and hold perpetrators accountable.

“We aim to ensure that gender equality is institutionalised within government structures, further supporting our Department of Women, Children, and Social Protection,” he added.

Prime Minister Rabuka reaffirmed Fiji’s dedication to the critical areas outlined in the Beijing Platform for Action — including poverty reduction, education, health, economic empowerment, and the elimination of violence against women.

“As a developing country, Fiji, is working to ensure that our daughters inherit a future where equality is a lived reality and not just an aspiration,” he concluded.

The Beijing Platform for Action outlines strategic objectives and actions across 12 critical areas, such as poverty, health, violence, and political participation, and remains a vital document for global efforts to advance women’s rights and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

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