Women Communicating For Development In Rural Fiji

Women Communicating For Development In Rural Fiji On Community Radio Airwaves

Rakiraki, Fiji

27 June 2013

As a result of support from the European Union and the International Women's Development Agency to FemLINKPacific's Rural Women's Community Media Network 34 women between the ages of 19 and 62 years will be taking to the airwaves through a "suitcase radio" broadcast from 9am to 3pm.

The radio broadcast will be hosted at the Waimicia Women's Rest House a project of the local Soqosoqo Vakamarama and will be the first time the women will be talking about their issues through the public airwaves:

"There has been keen interest from the "mata-ni-tikina" of Nababa and Nalawa who have been observing at the 2 day pre broadcast consultation," says FemLINKPacific Executive Director - Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, "and the broadcast topics reflect the development priorities the women from all communities participating including the town and cane farming communities such as access to health services, infrastructure priorities such as road, water supply and rural electrification, as well as the feminization of poverty and gender equality in decision making and governance structures."

The pre broadcast consultations have enabled women to link their priorities to women's rights treaties as well as CEDAW as well as enhance the localization of the Fiji Women's Forum:

"This is certainly not just about women learning how to vote or understand the parliamentary system but ensure they are ready to be active citizens and equally represented in the local to the district, divisional and provincial planning committees and forums," she added.

ENDS

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