FIJI, like many Pacific islands, faced the threat of several challenges that made it vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters.
This was highlighted by Fiji’s Speaker of Parliament Dr Jiko Luveni during the Second Eurasian Women’s Forum that was held in major convention centres and cultural venues in the historical centre of St. Petersburg, Russia, from September 19-21.
Dr Luveni was invited to attend the forum by the Federation Council Speaker, Valentina Matviyenko, which was organised by the Federation Council and the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Independent States (CIS), with support from several ministries, agencies and NGOs.
In her opening address, Dr Luveni said the effect of climate change disproportionately affected women and girls in Fiji.
She said women needed to have full political, economic and social participation that would ensure the notion of leaving no one behind towards Fiji’s pursuit for sustainable development.
She adds every nation should have a national plan to effectively address women’s issues.
