A booklet launched in Suva this week, that aims to empower young women to think critically about their right to vote, is anticipated to assist in efforts to change the status quo in decision-making spaces in Fiji.
Titled My Guide to Voting (MG2V), the booklet, done up by the Fiji Young Women’s Forum, also seeks to educate young women about their role in Fiji’s democratic process and thereafter see more women take up decision-making positions for the benefit of women who make up nearly 50 percent of Fiji’s population.
U.S. Embassy Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Rebecca Owen said, “Effective participation of young women and girls in the community and political life, all their diversities, is essential to building a healthy, inclusive, and democratic society.”
“The My Guide to Voting booklet will help educate young women voters on their right to vote and the processes involved for them to exercise that right and participate fully in the political process,” she added.
“The MG2V booklet will be a tool to guide young women in the runup to election day. It will ensure equal and meaningful participation of women in all their diversity. The booklet encompasses the voices of young women from all over Fiji on how they want their present and future to be. Diverse women’s voices are vital for good governance and MG2V would be an important tool for it.” says Cleo Petra, a co-convenor with the House of Colours.
Prior to this launch, the Fiji Young Women’s Forum held three (3) divisional dialogues with diverse, young women between the ages of 18 – 35 in the Western, Northern and Central Divisions, culminating with the 2022 National Declaration representing young women’s challenges and strategies towards human security. The launch hosted a panel discussion by the co-conveners on strategies outlined in the national declaration followed by a question-and-answer session.
Dorrin Irvin, a co-convener with ELFA says “It is critical that all the hard work put towards the FYWF National Declaration by the diverse young women in Fiji is recognized by the upcoming government”.
Luisa Tuilau, femLINKpacific co-convener of the forum added that the booklet is an expression of young women’s commitment to their roles as voters and citizens of Fiji.
The MG2V Booklet was published with support from the Pacific Community (SPC), through a grant funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of its US$19.8 million Promoting Just, Transparent and Civic Minded (PROJECT) Governance partnership program.
