Vision

That Fiji is a nation where women are valued and treated with respect and dignity; where women are free from every form of discrimination; where equal opportunities are available to women and where equality is cherished by all.

Mission

Women and gender concerns are mainstreamed into government policies and programs

Slogan

Equality for all

FIJI TO HOST INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL MEETINGS

This year Fiji will host two important and historical meetings, the 7th Women's Affairs Ministers' Meeting [7WAMM] and the 9th Triennial Meeting of Pacific Women.

7TH WOMEN'S AFFAIRS MINISTERS' MEETING IN 2004

The Commonwealth has been involved in promoting gender equality and equity for the last twenty five years. As the world approaches the end of the current Beijing decade, the Commonwealth needs to reaffirm and redefine its vision of gender equality and equity in keeping with the new challenges facing Commonwealth countries in the decade ahead 2000-2015.

The Seventh Women's/Gender Affairs Ministers' Meeting is to be held in 2004 and it offers a unique opportunity for Fiji to be at the Centre of Commonwealth concensus building and advocacy on gender equality. The duration of the meeting is likely to be 4 days. The theme of the 7th WAMM is " ADVANCING GENDER EQUALITY IN THE COMMONWEALTH IN THE DECADE 2005-2015.

This meeting is held every four years and will be a historical event since the meeting has never been held in the the Pacific and the Ministers will be preparing to launch a new Commonwealth Plan of Action for the next decade 2005-2015.

Fiji is looking forward to hosting delegates from the 52 Commonwealth Countries.

9TH TRIENNIAL CONFERENCE FOR PACIFIC WOMEN TO BE HOSTED IN FIJI

At the conclusion of the 8th Triennial Conference, Fiji was approached to host the 9th Triennial Conference in 2004. The 9th Triennial will look at the following:

• review the progress of implementation of decisions for the 8th Triennial Conference.
• review progress and share experiences and lesson learnt on the continuing implementation of the Pacific Platform for Action, including the progress towards ratification, implementation, reporting and monitoring of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and preparations for the 2005 United NationsWorld Conference on Women.

The meetings will be held back to back with the Pacific Women Ministers Meeting commencing on 26/5/2004 and the Commonwealth Ministers Meeting starting on 31/05/2004. The NGO groups will meet prior to the two meetings.

Government has allocated $600,000 to cover hosting expenses for the two meetings. The Fiji Government is only responsible for hosting expenses and facilitation relating to the SPC 9th Triennial and 7WAMM COMSEC Meeting. Delegations will be responsible for their own accomodation and meals expenses. Meanwhile, a Working & Planning [inter-agency] Committee chaired by the CEO for Women, Social Welfare & Poverty Alleviation has been set up to plan and prepare for these meetings.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community will assist the Ministry and the Commiittee in its preparations for the meeting.

The Pacific Meeting will involve 22 member countries:

1. American Samoa
2. Cook Islands
3. Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)
4. Fiji Islands
5. French Polynesia
6. Guam
7. Kiribati
8. Marshall Islands
9. Nauru
10. New Caledonia
11. Niue
12. Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
13. Palau
14. Papua New Guinea
15. Pitcairn Islands
16. Samoa
17. Solomon Islands
18. Tokelau
19. Tonga
20. Tuvalu
21. Vanuatu
22. Wallis and Futuna

Commonwealth member countries from this group will then attend the COMSEC Meeting.