femLINKpacific

02/09/2024

𝗙𝗲𝗺𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵🎉 Celebrating the moving work of femLINKpacific, we recognize the contributions of the past and present staff together with our network of Diverse Rural Women.

Continuing with the 7 pillars of Human and Peace Security that we are focusing on this week.

Today - 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 guarantees freedom from violence and fear. It allows diverse women to pursue their goals without intimidation, fostering a sense of well-being. We all have a responsibility to speak out against violence against women and members of the minority groups. and ensure that all homes are safe from all forms of violence. femLINKpacific affirms its stance against all forms of gender-based violence, including online violence. We stand in solidarity with victims and/or survivors and together, we call for action to eradicate violence in all its forms.

02/09/2024

02/09/2024

02/09/2024

𝗙𝗲𝗺𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵🎉 Celebrating the moving work of femLINKpacific, we recognize the contributions of the past and present staff together with our network of Diverse Rural Women.

This week we will focus on the 7 pillars of Human and Peace Security.

Today - 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 ensures diverse women have enough income to meet basic needs. This fosters stability and reduces conflict over resources. Development planning and decision-making in Gender Equality is linked to rural women's political empowerment through information and knowledge sharing, network building, and access to SRHR information and services. It is also linked to climate change and disaster risk management, and the availability of services for our Diverse Rural Women and member of the minority groups in the community.

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30/08/2024

30/08/2024

FemLINKpacific is proud to present our 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮-𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯.

This report highlights our work in advocating for gender justice, ecological sustainability, and amplifying the voices of rural women across Fiji and the Pacific region.

Through our programs and initiatives, we have made significant strides in empowering women and promoting their active participation in decision-making processes.We invite you to explore our report and learn more about the impact we have made in the lives of women and communities in Fiji and the Pacific.

You can find this report on this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IzDxXSfqOM1GW14awDxLQxNfOa4lsFYz/view?usp=drive_link

29/08/2024

Yesterday the Suva Staff of femLINKpacific got together to farewell the Think Pacific Interns who spent 1 week working closely and contributing immensely to the moving work of femLINKpacific.
The 16 University Graduates comprise of 5 Males and 11 Females. 14 of these Interns come from the UK while 1 is from New Zealand and one comes all the way from Moldova in Europe. The Team shared a bowl of Kava and had a pleasant talanoa session with the Interns.

One of the interns - Jenaye says "One of the key takeaways I'd say I got from this experience is being a more confident speaker and being able to apply what I've learnt in university to an organization. It's been the first organization - femlink."

The Interns thanked femLINKpacific for allowing them to work in collaboration with them. With words of gratitude that was shared, the Staff at femLINKpacific bid farewell to the 16 University Graduates who will be traveling back to their home country later this week.

28/08/2024

⚫️𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗜𝗻 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸. Programme Associate: Broadcaster - Alumita Davelevu says "Violence against women is wrong and criminal, it is not cultural nor part of tradition. Equality is not something that will be given freely but it is something we must continue to fight for"

Continuing to join the global movement of , we at femLINKpacific call on every individual to not turn a blind eye to violence against women, girls and those of the minority groups and SPEAK OUT and REPORT!!

If you know anyone in your community going through any form of abuse, please contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 1560 or you can contact Lifeline Fiji for counselling on 1543.
Break the Silence and Report!

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28/08/2024

The Fiji National Protection Cluster Meeting facilitated by the Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Social Protection. Also at this meeting were other government representative, NGO's, CSO's and Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs). Discussion centred around disaster preparedness with a focus on children, elderly and persons living with disability. Fiji Police Force also facilitated an awareness session on Human Trafficking for all the stakeholders in the room.

Also present at this event was femLINKpacific's Programme Manager - Elesi Nailati and Programme Associate: Broadcaster - Alumita Davelevu

27/08/2024

27/08/2024

We support the statement by the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission on the death penalty not being the solution to Fiji’s rising drug problems.

26/08/2024

📌 #𝗡𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. Today, 18 women including young women were present at the Nausori District convening held at the Nausori Village community hall and present in the room were representatives from the Itaukei Land Trust Board. The theme for discussion was around Gender, Land and Rights.

Most discussions were around Land Developments and its environment impact assessment. Women questioned how they are able to access lease and also how women can access ITLTB funds for development purpose.

One of the many recommendations that was raised during the Nausori District Convening was the need for more awareness from the iTaukei Land Trust Board to the Grassroot communities.

Supported by UN Women Pacific and Women's Fund Fiji.

23/08/2024

📌 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝘂𝘀𝗮𝘃𝘂 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: On August 23rd, the Savusavu Rural Women Leaders Network convened for their August district consultation at the Soqosoqo Vakamarama I Taukei Hall in Savusavu. The meeting brought together women leaders from a range of communities, including Dromoninuku, Yaroi, Nukubalavu, Levuka, Tacilevu, Yaroi and neighboring areas.

The focus of the consultation was on the intersection of gender and land management, addressing both the challenges and potential solutions.

On unequal distribution of benefits and land management, Meresiana Dimaqalu representing Dromoninuku and Nukubalavu said, “Leaders in the community often benefit disproportionately from tourism-related revenues, while the broader community, including women and other mataqali members, does not receive fair benefits. Decisions regarding land use and benefits are typically made by leaders without including input from other mataqali members. Women are particularly excluded from these decisions. Landowners frequently demand excessive payments from those using the land, even though they are family members”


On Lack of Awareness and Participation Temalesi Lewakila representing young women says, “There is a tendency for people to sign development agreements without fully understanding the implications or benefits. Women are often excluded from meetings and decision-making processes related to land use and development. As a result, they are frequently unaware of their rights and the impacts of such decisions”

Women leaders all proposed for increased awareness from relevant authorities and experts particularly from iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB).

Convening update sent in by Sulueti Waqa, Programme Coordinator Labasa with support from Neha Karan, Admin and Finance support officer Labasa.

Supported by Women's Fund Fiji and UN Women Pacific

23/08/2024

📌 𝗦𝗮𝗾𝗮𝗻𝗶 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: 37 rural women leaders from Malake, Navetau, Saqani, Biaugunu, Sese and Vuniwai village gathered at the Saqani Community Hall for the Saqani District Convening. The discussions centred around the theme "Gender, Land and Rights" with a focus on strengthening women's land rights.

Women leaders identified that when women own land, there is safer communities as women are more likely to move out of violent relationship or domestic violence, there is more investment in quality education, reduced poverty and increased health benefits for families and communities.

Women also identified that their current efforts through voivoi (pandanus) farming, yaqona farming and harvesting of coconuts for copra, help contribute to the progress of communities.

However, challanges still exist in terms of women's ownership of land and land resources. One of the challenges that still remains is the "veivakaduiduitaki" or the gender inequality that further further suggests that women do not need to own land or have land rights. They also identified the lack of communitty support for women-led initiatives.

As recommendations, women leaders call for more conversations and awareness both internally (within villages and communities) to address the existing inequalities within these decision-making spaces. They also call for more stakeholders engagement particularly by institutions such as the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) and the Ministry of Lands.

This was supported by UN Women Pacific and Women's Fund Fiji

23/08/2024

In collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholders including Civil Society Organizations, Faith-Based Organizations, Government Ministries and the Media - today the Fiji Elections Office launched the Voter Perception Survey, which is scheduled to take place from the 26th of August 2024 to the 4th of October 2024. This Survey aims to gather valuable feedback from citizens across Fiji and the diaspora, enabling the FEO to better understand public perceptions, identify areas of improvement, and ensure that our electoral processes continue to be inclusive, transparent, and efficient.

Also present at this event was femLINKpacific’s Executive Director- Fay Volatabu, Project Officer - Aseri Rokotunaceva and Programme Associate: Broadcaster - Alumita Davelevu.

23/08/2024

#𝗟𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
18 participants attended the Lami District Convening that was held in Naivikinikini Rokotuiloma Hall on the 22nd of August, 2024. The theme was on Gender, Land and Rights.
The highlights of the discussion were around the importance of indigenous land rights and probable ways women can access the use of land.
TLTB representatives enlightened our rural women leaders on ways and processes they could take too land ownership.Also covering the different types of leases women can access .

Discussions also was around the barriers and challenges we as itaukei's face as land owning unit as such lack of information on our land rights and accessibility.

Lack of knowledge in certain processes that one has to follow to attain land ownership.
Lack of knowledge in laws and policies for both landowners and tenants.Women leaders identified solutions such as more advocacy, continuous awareness in the communities, and a review in policies with the Lands departments especially with the Land Bank Unit.

Supported by UN Women Pacific and Women's Fund Fiji

22/08/2024

22/08/2024

📌 𝗕𝘂𝗮 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: 30 participants attended the Bua Consultation in Nabouwalu Village hall today the 22nd August 2024 with the theme "Gender , Land and Rights" . The discussion was around access and ownership of land and its benefit to women of all diversity, what are some of the barriers and how this situation could be improved .

The participants were from Vuya, Namau, Raviravi, Navave, Nabouwalu and communities within Nabouwalu. Most of the women leaders had identified that if they own land, it will be beneficial to their family, they will be able to do subsistence farming or even large scale farming for the families income. Women quiet often are the home mangers, first responders and if given the opportunities, they would be able to do more to the land thus contributing to progress of communities.

Some of the issue raised today were:
• Despite the race or background there are always challenges for women to own land .
• Another main challenge is the cost for women to acquire the land, it is an added burden.
• Another major issues that was also raised is the lack of information available to communities in order for them to know their rights to own land
• Disagreement often with Land owners and tenants, the proper procedures are not followed .

Women leaders identified some solutions: advocacy, continuous awareness in the communities and grant provided especially to mothers and single mothers to be able to assist in acquiring land for themselves and their children.

Convening update by Sulueti Waqa, Programme Coordinator Labasa with support from Neha Karan, Admin support and Finance officer Labasa.

Supported by UN Women Pacific and Women's Fund Fiji

22/08/2024

📌 𝗧𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: Earlier today, we were joined by 37 rural women leaders from the Tikina of Tawake for the Tawake District Convening at the Tawake Community Hall.

Women leaders from Cagiveisau, Lagi, Wainigadru, Qaranivai, Wainika, Nasigasiga, Yasawa, Vatu, Nagasauva and Tawake village joined us in a conversation around the District Convening theme, "Gender, Land and Rights". The conversations centered around the women's access to land resources, ownership of land, challenges that women leaders and women's group face when trying to acquire land for group and/or individual projects, and what needs to change to ensure there is equal and fair access.

Young women participant from Lagi village, Sereana Solasiga says, "one of the challenges for young women and young people is the gender stereotypes. Women are often told that things about the land is not our concern." She also says that the only solution to this would be to educate and create awareness on gender equality and the ability of young women to also influence and effectively contribute to decision-making processes within communities.

Laite Mairewa of Vatu village says that there needs to be a review of policies and laws about land ownership to ensure that there is a comprehensive framework that allows women to have equal and fair access to land resources.

Supported by UN Women Pacific and Women's Fund Fiji

22/08/2024

‼️𝐑𝐞-𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 - 𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐀‼️
📌𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁. femLINKpacific is inviting applications from enthusiastic individuals to join our feminist media team as broadcasters at our 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐚 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲.
Those that wish to join our cohort of Diverse Young Women Broadcasters can send their EOI to [email protected] and copy our Programme Manager, Elesi Nailati, - [email protected] by 𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒.

22/08/2024

‼️𝐑𝐞-𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 - 𝐒𝐔𝐕𝐀‼️
📌𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁. femLINKpacific is inviting applications from enthusiastic individuals to join our feminist media team as broadcasters at our 𝗦𝘂𝘃𝗮 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲.
Those that wish to join our cohort of Diverse Young Women Broadcasters can send their EOI to [email protected] and copy our Programme Manager, Elesi Nailati, - [email protected] by 𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒.


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21/08/2024

⚫️ : Every Thursday (and everyday) we stand in solidarity with victims and survivors of all forms of gender-based violence.

We demand an end to all forms of gender based violence in our communities and around the world. Join the movement and wear black every Thursday and engage in your community in discussions about prevention and support.

Pictured below are women leaders from Yasawa and Lautoka calling for an end to all forms of gender-based violence.