Women give a voice

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Women of Veivatuloa village pose for the camera. Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU

THE paramount chief of Namosi province, Ratu Suliano Matanitobua, is breaking barriers by giving women a voice in district and village meetings.

He said as a traditional leader, it was his responsibility to give women who had been silenced for decades the chance to speak.

“Before, women in our province weren’t allowed to speak out about any issues affecting them during district and village meetings, as the paramount chief, I am slowly trying to break that barrier,” Ratu Suliano said.

“As leaders, if we want to promote gender equality, we should start from the grassroots level.

“For decades iTaukei women have been silenced and the usual norm in our culture is that they belong in the kitchen.

“I want women in my province to feel comfortable and to have the confidence to speak out if they are bothered by something.

“During village and district meetings, I will take myself down to their level so I am able to understand their problems.

“Sometimes people criticise me for trying to bring about women rights to freedom of expression, I don’t mind because this is how I plan to lead my people.”

Ratu Suliano said most of the decisions made in Namosi provincial council meetings had been influenced by women.

“If you look at the role of women from this perspective, a woman is the first person to wake up and last to sleep in our families. “So we can see here, that the molding of a family lies with them and they can become good advisers.”

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