Women from all walks of life and across the social divide were calling for the previous government’s name change policy to be repealed.
At a consultation held in Suva on Monday, lawyer Makareta Waqavonovono called for the law, which required married women to change their birth certificate name to be able to vote, to be removed “as soon as possible”.
“It’s a stupid law. It never made sense,” she said.
She also called on the Attorney-General’s Office to consider the difficulties faced by the women who had already made the changes.
Ms Waqavonovono said there were still a number of administrative issues to be ironed out.
In another submission, Reverend Simione Tugi said names were an important part of a person’s identity and individuality.
“They have significance, power and meaning, they connect us to ourselves and to others, they reflect our family, culture and personal choices,” he said.
“They can influence how we feel and how we are perceived, learning and using names shows respect, and trust. The change of law is a total insult to all I have said.
“When they put up the law in 2021, it said they will not be required to pay any fees.
“They make our names very cheap. The applicant is not required to provide any justification so anyone can change their names, and there are no limitations on how many times.”
Mr Tugi said he agreed with the other speakers and called on the law to be repealed.
Renowned former radio personality and politician Bernadette Rounds-Ganilau said the policy reduced women to “single-celled asexual amoebic persona”.
She said women were left as “non-entities” after having to sacrifice one of their identities.
At the first round of public consultation on the review of the policy on Monday, she spoke candidly about the impact the policy change had on her personally.
Ms Rounds-Ganilau said being forced to change her birth certificate name was a “sad day”.
She said while her parents’ names and dates of birth were added, all other information was omitted.
Referring to the original certificate issued at birth, she said those were details that spoke of a family’s history and identity, which were erased when the new certificates were issued.
