Tuesday, January 29, 2013

FT: Women in Parliament

So I read this letter (below) in the Fiji times - 24/01/2013:
Women in parliament
JUST wondering ... why do women need to be represented in parliament? Every men who makes it to the new parliament will have either a mother, wife, or daughter taking care of him. Women not only 'rock the cradle' but also 'rule the roost'. Celebrate ladies. Election or not, you rule! Of course, we hate admitting that in public.
Isimeli Nalomaca
Nasinu
 
 
I thought to myself - is this dude serious???? Why should just men be in Parliament?
Over the past (how many) decades man have populated the Parliament seats and what have they done?
Policies have been made suited to their needs.
how many times do they debate issues thinking about the needs of Women and children?
So I thought of writing a response letter.
And I thank Fiji times for publishing it.
 
Women representation
A writer (FT: 24/01/13) asks why women need to be in Parliament when the men who will be voted in come from families where they have mother, wife or daughter.
My questions are: And so? So what if they have a mother, wife or daughter?
How many women own property in our country?
How many are included in decision-making in families, communities?
How many women are employed in decision-making positions in the work force?
How many women and girls are denied the opportunity to education because their parents believe it is important to educate the sons and not the daughters?
How many women fall victim to domestic violence?
How many women die each year as a result of domestic violence?
How many women are raped each year?
How many of these women receive justice?
How many women are able to negotiate safe sex with their partner?
Women need to be represented in the Parliament to ensure that national policies are made keeping in mind the difficulties and abuse women are subjected to daily.
And policies need to be made and strengthened to ensure a safer community for all women.
Alzima Elisha Bano
Nabua


Click here for online copy of letter to the editor (Fiji Times)

I think there is a very serious need for Temporary Special Measures to be put into place so women representation in Parliament can be increased. But discussion on TSM is for another time . . .

Untill next blog :-)
Alzima Elisha Bano


 

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

FT: Draft Constitution

Fiji Times: 17/01/2013
Page 7.

Draft constitution

WHY is the draft consitution being referred to as Ghai's Constitution?
It was compiled by the thousands of submissions made by the people of Fiji for the people of Fiji.
Should it then not be called the People's Draft compiled by the Ghai Commission?
Or better yet just call it the People's Draft 2012.
This would remove the misconception that the Constitution Commission came up with a guideline for the people of Fiji.
Instead it would allow people of Fiji to take ownership of the draft as their own since it was compiled by submissions they made.

Alzima Elisha Bano
Nabua


http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?item=letters