Women, Youth and Media - WYAM

17/01/2023

RFMF concerned about the sweeping changes of current govt

The separation of powers between the executive and the judicial arms of the state must be respected - Commander

By Vijay Narayan (Fiji Village)

Tuesday 17/01/2023
[Photo: RFMF Media]

Army Commander, Major General Jone Kalouniwai says the Republic of Fiji Military Forces is raising its concerns with regards to the sweeping changes of the current government to establish a firm transition of power and democratic control as the government of the day.

Major General Kalouniwai says the RFMF has quietly observed with growing concern over the last few days, the ambition and speed of the government in implementing these sweeping changes are creating shortcuts that circumvent the relevant processes and procedures that protect the integrity of the law and the Constitution.
The Army Commander says whilst the RFMF recognizes the justifications by the current government to establish these changes, the RFMF believes that trying and failing to democratize in adverse circumstances has the potential to bring about fateful, long-term national security consequences.

He says the RFMF is concerned, whether these rapid changes are being pursued without a full understanding of the process and procedures or intentionally done to challenge the integrity of the Law and the Constitution of this land.

Major General Kalouniwai says whatever the reasons may be, the RFMF feels that such actions and decisions is putting at risk the very nature of the Law and the separation of powers that clearly demarcate the independence of the three arms of government.

He says given that Fiji is a very new democracy and given our unfortunate past experience of governments exceeding or attempting to exceed its powers, section 131 of the Constitution ensures that the RFMF plays a guardian role where the excesses of the past are not repeated and any new assaults on our emerging democracy are not tolerated.

The Commander says this provision is also in place to ensure that the values and principles of democracy including the checks and balances enshrined in the Constitution are not undermined.
The RFMF firmly believes that the separation of powers between the executive and the judicial arms of the state must be respected.
He says it must be important to understand and appreciate that a strong rule of law is built on respect for and adherence to a clear separation of powers between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary.

16/01/2023

Latest update from the Ministry of Education.....Back to the "old" way where you can pick/select your child's school without worrying about the school zoning policy....

10/01/2023

Good to see the new current Government being transparent in the changes or decisions they are doing within their various industries.

Just watched the live coverage of the changes within the Ministry of Education for 2023......Minister for Education needs "more" practise in speaking publicly and how to answer media questions.....

The Government is giving $200 per child in a household if combined income of a household is less than $50,000 - to assist households in school expenses this year.....

Forms will be available from tomorrow 11th January 2023 until next week Friday 20th January 2023.

Lets hope this transparent trend continue.....

18/10/2022

WYAM - Media 19th October 2022.

Last week legal eviction notices were given to about 40 families at the Veisari Settlement in Nadera, Nasinu. The freehold land was owned by Nasinu Land Purchase Cooperative.

It seems that the landowner had made alternative arrangement for the families to move to an alternative area in 2018. Most families accepted the offer but the remaining families were legally evicted.

The Media reported this and the families cried foul and said it was inhumane. We also had some Politicians taking full advantage of this and also cried foul.

Some of us think that the families should not have built their homes illegally on the land. IF you have nowhere to stay - you can't just move into vacant land.

The legal owners of the land should have secured the land to ensure that no-one could live illegally on their land. And when they did find their land being used illegally, they should have IMMEDIATELY taken legal action.

What are the humane solutions to issues with Squatters?



According to the ministry, they had intervened to allow the settlers to buy additional time, and negotiated another six months with the landowner to allow the individuals residing on the land to move.

“Legally, the Fijian Government can only serve as a mediator between squatters and freehold landowners.”

According to the director for Housing, Ronit Sen, they held several meetings with the landowner and representatives of the affected families since the court order was issued.

“We have secured as much additional time as possible for them to find alternative housing,” Mr Sen said.

“During that time, we conducted a survey and considered temporary accommodation in Public Rental Board flats, however, some families reported exceedingly large household sizes that could not fit in to PRB flats.

“It has been clear for more than four years that the families would have to eventually move out, as this is a freehold land. After we secured an additional six-month window for alternative arrangements to be made, the court order now must be respected.”

The ministry highlighted that there were over 250 informal settlements around Fiji.

“The ministry is working with both Ministry of Lands and iTaukei Land Trust Board to acquire and upgrade these settlements over time to provide secured land tenure to the settlers.

“The ministry currently has 46 development leases under its upgrade program and three are now upgraded and ready for formalisation. Another 12 settlements are ready to commence upgrade works in this financial year, with about $10 million allocated in the 2022-2023 National Budget for these works.”

15/07/2022

Government "Bula Boom" Budget was announced last night.....Some interesting portions.....

27/06/2022

WYAM - This was quite interesting to read. It is all about the money now....If your work skills are recognised abroad or your sporting ability, you will definitely take the offer.......Government must re-look at the minimum wage limit......What do you think?

Chief Executive, Fantasha Lockington says although programs like the Pacific Labor Scheme generate good remittances for Fiji, it’s creating a vacuum in the tourism industry.

20/06/2022

WYAM - This is a worry as I have witnessed this as well.....But I can't judge so readily about parents not doing their jobs.....What do you think?

Parents and guardians are critical role models in a child’s upbringing and bad examples set at home have a great influence on their adopted behaviour.

17/06/2022

WYAM - 18th June 2022. Today is INTERNATIONAL DAY TO COUNTER HATE SPEECH.

In July 2021, the UN General Assembly highlighted global concerns over “the exponential spread and proliferation of hate speech” around the world and adopted a resolution on “promoting inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate speech”. (UN)

The resolution recognizes the need to counter discrimination, xenophobia and hate speech and calls on all relevant actors, including States, to increase their efforts to address this phenomenon, in line with international human rights law.

Let us stop these types of hate speech and messages going through our social media where targets are individuals or specific groups. Let us promote positivity and kindness.

16/06/2022

WYAM - 17th June 2022. The pace of climate change is really adversely affecting Fiji and the South Pacific. Being one of the most vulnerable countries in the world and surrounded by the biggest ocean in the world - it is certainly a worry.

Let us as individuals do our part and as a collective let our voices be heard to the Government and developed countries to also do their part to minimise the adverse effects.

Below are photos from Sigatoka Totoka showing a king tide incident.......worrying

15/06/2022

WYAM - 16th June 2022. Today we celebrate INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILY REMITTANCES.

This is where our families who live overseas send us funds to help us here at home in Fiji.

Let us thank our families who continue to do this despite the struggles they go through as well....

Thank you.

12/06/2022

Today it was reported on Face Book that a certain Hotel in the West has advised Bridal Parties (Booked in at the Hotels) especially the Brides that they now have a new policy where the brides are not allowed to bring into their rooms their own hair dressers and make up artists from outside the hotel.

Many local hair dressers and make up artists will lose this business as many of them depend on this income.

Does this impinge on the guest privacy where the hotel is now dictating who can enter bedrooms?

Or are the hotels right as they have their hair salon at the Hotel and this is competition?

Would love to hear your comments.

12/06/2022

WOMEN,YOUTH AND MEDIA - 12th June 2022. Today we observe WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOUR. Theme this year 2022 is "Universal Social Protection to end Child Labour."

UN calls for increased investment in social protection systems and schemes to establish solid social protection floors and protect children from child labour.

While significant progress has been made in reducing child labour over the last two decades, progress has slowed over time, and it has even stalled during the period 2016-2020. Today, 160 million children still engaged in child labour – some as young as 5. (UN)

Fiji Government must develop and effectively implement social protection systems to reduce poverty and prevent child labour. Free education and free bus fares are a start but there is still so much work to be done to reduce or eliminate child labour. There is still evidence of child labour in Fiji.

Social protection is both a human right and a potent policy tool to prevent families from resorting to child labour in times of crisis. (UN)

11/06/2022

FAMILY PLANNING - SHOULD BOTH PARTNERS CONSENT?

Last week at the Lomaiviti Provivincial Council Meeting, a District representative discussed the issue of women using birth control without the knowledge of their partners/husbands.

The Minister of Health the Hon. Dr. Waqainabete then mentioned that there was a need for couples to jointly attend all family planning counselling together.

The Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong said in a statement that he wishes to correct media reports regarding concerns raised to the Minister for Health, Doctor Ifereimi Waqainabete about women acquiring birth contraceptives without the knowledge of their partners. The discussion did not infer the need for consent from both partners however it emphasized the concept of couples counselling; a concept that is routinely promoted in family planning circles. (Source: Fiji Village)

As NGOs and individuals protest, it is interesting to see the various views and we would like to hear from you. Do you think that a woman must get the consent of her husband/partner in family planning matters.

10/06/2022