Women not on equal terms - Fiji Times Online

Thursday, March 09, 2006
Women and their families march to ‘reclaim the night’ in Suva yesterday.FIJI did not achieve 50 per cent women representation in government boards, committees, councils, tribunals and commissions by 2005 as reflected in the national plan of action.
Speaking at the launch of International Women's Day in Suva yesterday, Minister for Women, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation, Adi Asenaca Caucau said women were in the lower level of decision making in the public and private sector.
'Though women have made significant progress in improving educational qualifications and getting vocational training, they still are at lower level positions,' Adi Asenaca said.
She said women comprised only 22.8 per cent of government boards and committees.
'They make up 46 per cent employed in the public service. Of that, 14 per cent are at senior executive level, 13 per cent at deputy secretary level and only 8 per cent (3 out of 23) are chief executives.'
She said women were vastly under-represented in most decision-making levels of the Government and other statutory bodies despite its continued emphasis to promote women's participation.
'Creating a positive environment for women's input in decision making, running gender sensitive programs and gender-based training are essential to addressing gender inequality.'
She said programs such as Women in Politics, initiated by the UN Development Funds for Women, was a good start in raising awareness for women in politics and decision-making.
'Through the program, women got together to co-ordinate efforts to improve participation in the political process and election."
Women not on equal terms - Fiji Times Online