By MAIKA BOLATIKI

‘Fiji is not a busybody.’
This was the Minster for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Ratu Inoke Kubuabola’s reply to Russian journalist Pavel Vanichkin, ITAR-TASS on the question – What countries does Fiji see today as its primary allies on the global arena?
Ratu Inoke said Fiji foreign policy was based on respect for each nation’s independent sovereign entity as a state and the right of its government and people, to determine their own governance.
He said since 2006, Fiji had established formal diplomatic relations with 34 UN member states.
Fiji was elected as chair of G77 plus China, the biggest bloc of members states in the UN [83 countries] and within the UN, Fiji was one of the vice-presidents of the UN General Assembly in 2012.
He said Fiji welcomed global partners from all over the world and this was the essence of Fiji’s Look North Policy.
Fiji considers its primary allies to be those who have been there for the nation and the people of Fiji when in need.
When asked on the current relations with Australia, Ratu Inoke said: “Fiji has a very open, friendly and outward approach towards Fiji’s foreign relations.”
Although Fiji has been promoting its ‘Look North Policy’, he said they recognised Australia as one Fiji’s major traditional partners.

The Prime Minister took time out during his visit to Lomaivuna to spend time listening to the people’s concerns. He visited Lomaivuna on Thursday to open the latest government telecentre. Photo: JONA KONATACI

By MAIKA BOLATIKI

The Government-with the support of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces-had introduced reforms to Build a Better Fiji.
However, the Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, said that some politicians from the past and Government critics were not accepting the reforms.
Opening the talanoa session with parents at the Lomaivuna High School on Thursday, he said old politicians were leading the campaign for people not to accept the reforms or changes brought about by the Government.
The Prime Minister said these old politicians, when in government had made a lot of false promises just to get votes to get into parliament.
“I call  on you to see for yourselves the development carried out by the Government in the past years compared to the days when these old politicians were in power,” the Prime Minister said.
He said it was time Government critics accepted the reforms put in place by Government, which people had benefitted a lot from.
“We don’t make promises like the others did but we make things happen.”
He said Fiji’s new political direction had to be accepted because all Fijians would benefit, but it would need a change in mindset.
The Prime Minister said the rural people, who were the most forgotten in the past, were now enjoying good roads, and had access to clean water, electricity, health services and quality education.
Government critics and old politicians should change their mindsets and start caring for all Fijians and not only for a selected few.
Commodore Bainimarama has urged those at the talanoa session not to be tempted by the old politicians as they had nothing to offer them.
He said Government critics had also criticised the constitution
The Prime Minister said Fiji would have a new constitution, which will guarantee and protect every person’s rights including housing and sanitation, reasonable access to transportation, adequate food, clean water, a just minimum wage, social security schemes, and education.
“It will include the right to economic participation, which means that Government must do everything in its power to help people achieve a decent living for themselves and their families, no matter what their occupation.
“These rights cannot be tampered with or weakened in any way. Because Fijians know that different governments deliver very different results, especially for ordinary people. This is no longer the case under my Government nor should it be the case in the future.”
The Prime Minister also assured that Fiji would surely have fair and free elections in September 2014

But decision
to deploy RFMF
soldiers, medics awaits report on
reconnaissance

By MAIKA BOLATIKI

The deployment of Fijian soldiers to the Golan Heights has been given the greenlight, Cabinet has endorsed.
This was confirmed to the Fiji Sun yesterday by the Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office, Lieutenant-Colonel Pio Tikoduadua.
“Cabinet has endorsed the deployment of our soldiers to the Golan Heights,” Lieutenant-Colonel Tikoduadua said.
However, Lieutenant-Colonel Tikoduadua said the decision for actual deployment would be made after a reconnaissance report had been pre-sented by Lieutenant-Colonel Ratu Jone Logavatu.
The media had already reported that 173 Republic of Fiji Military Forces troops and medical staff have been preparing for the mission for the past month.
RFMF Land Force Commander Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga said 162 military personnel and 11 medical staff have been training at Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Suva.
Meanwhile, the latest AFP reports said the UN was exploring the possibility of adding Swedish peacekeepers also to its forces situated in the demilitarised zone between Syria and Israel’s Golan Heights.
“It’s in very preliminary stages,” an Israeli source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the press agency.
“It hasn’t been established yet who agrees and who wants it. The conditions are not clear,” the source said.
The Israeli daily Haaretz reported on Thursday that Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt favoured sending troops to the region.
However, Haaretz said that Minister Bildt would only send Swedes as part of a larger Nordic force from Finland, Norway and Denmark.
Austria started withdrawing troops on Wednesday, a week after it cited conditions on the border were too dangerous for its continued presence there.

By TALEBULA KATE

Twenty-three children from Nadera outside Suva visited the Valelevu Fire Authority on Friday to learn about fire safety drills and lessons.
The Save the Children Fiji organised a field trip for the Nadera Community Kindergarten to the Valelevu Fire Station to meet the safety components in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) programme guideline, “Safe and Healthy Start – Grow Smart”.
SC Fiji’s Vuli Taumada Shishak project manager Barbara Ratabacaca said safety was one of the three main components of the “Safe and Healthy Start, Grow Smart.”
The three main components are the essential foundation needed for the holistic development of the child,” Ms Taumada said.
Project officer Nasinu Avinit Narayan said as part of the ECE development, SC Fiji believes that safety is of paramount value.
“The sooner the safety component is introduced, most favourably in the first eight years of a child’s life, the better chances of children adhering to safety activities during their adult years,” Mr Narayan said.
He said the trip was not focused on the students of the centre but also the parents and teachers who were part of the Nadera community and had also participated in the field trip.
The children learned the three main steps for fire safety including:
1. Crawl low in smoke
2. Don’t play with matches
3. When clothes catch fire, get down to the ground and roll forwards and backwards – Stop, Drop and Roll
Fire Authority sub-officer Navitalai Naivedru said the children first learned how to crawl in smoke if there is a house on fire as it is safe to stay on the floor when the smoke rises to the top.
“Secondly, many fire incidents have been caused by children playing with matches. Therefore, it is important to teach the children that whenever they see matches at home or in school, they should give it to the adults as matches are not toys,” he said.
Mr Naivedru added that when clothes catch fire, children are not to run but get down and roll forward and backwards.
“It is important to teach children at this age so they would always be aware of what to do in case of a fire accident even in the later years,” he said.
Kindergarten teacher Vaseva Sigaruarua said the enquiry topic in the ECE centre for the week is “Fire Drills and Fire Safety, which is why the children were brought down to the fire station for visual learning.

By LITIA MATHEWSELL

For close to half a century, the international chain of Hard Rock Cafes has established themselves as an eclectic mix of upmarket rock and roll with an edgy ambience.
Visitors to Port Denarau will be familiar with the famous YMCA break out performances by Hard Rock Fiji staff a few times a day- a fun tradition that embodies the chain’s zest for life.
The port is among Hard Rock’s 175 global locations and joins other members of the franchise in marking the chain’s 42nd birthday this weekend.
Aside from amassing one of the largest collections of rock and roll memorabilia in Fiji, the ‘Hard Rock-ers’ also enjoy undertaking a range of philanthropic activities and have hosted residents of Lautoka’s Golden Age Home at Port Denarau on several occasions.
A group of Hard Rockers yesterday joined supporters from the local Harley Davidson motorbike riders in once again bringing cheer to residents of the Home through a presentation of gift hampers for their 42 residents.
With both teams affiliated to rock culture and community outreach, it’s become an annual partnership that now strives towards a new multi-purpose bure for the Home.
Hard Rock will supply material for the bure construction, which will be facilitated by Harley riders, Jason Bates and Mike O’Connor.
This will house recreational activities and meal times and also allow a larger reclining area for the Home’s elderly residents.

Ministry of Works, Transport and Public Utilities heads of departments were part of a week long training to improve service delivery at the naval base in Togalevu.
While closing the workshop yesterday, Ministry of Works deputy secretary for operations Manasa Lesuma reminded participants to continuously explore innovative and simpler ways of dealing with daily work activities in a joint effort to improve service delivery to ordinary members of the public.
“We in the Ministry of Works, Transport and Public Utilities believe that our middle managers play a crucial role in our organisations, this particular group of people are the most resourceful and most experience people,” Mr Lesuma said.
“That is the reason why we conducted this training to bridge the gap and allow middle managers to be able to work with senior managers and co-workers.”
Mr Lesuma highlighted that managers are the backbone of any organisation and the ministry has continued to strive for excellence every year.
The Ministry won an Achievement award last year at the Annual Service Excellence Awards after a lapse of seven years and this has motivated each staff to be honest in every aspect of their work.
Some focus areas of the training included effectiveness of their operations and the importance of reports that are submitted to the Strategic Framework for Change and the Ministry of National Planning office.
“We also focused on the human resource responsibilities and getting them to understand the importance of customer service,” Mr Lesuma said.
Meanwhile, Ravind Kumar, an official from the Fiji Meteorology office thanked the Ministry for the opportunity and said this was a refresher course that would allow them to become good leaders.
Department of Energy principal officer Paula Katirewa said the training provided him the opportunity to be honest with his duties and provide adequate services to the people.
Mr Lesuma acknowledged the efforts of each official and was optimistic that changes will be perceived in future.

- MINFO NEWS

Nadelei Women’s Group in Tavua have been assisted with a beekeeping project that is producing sweet results for this rural community.
With a funding of $5000 from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation, the Nadelei Women’s Group started the beekeeping project in August last year and the success of this project was revealed during the Minister, Dr Jiko Luveni’s visit to Nadelei Village this week.
Dr Luveni said empowering rural women into income-generating and sustainable livelihood is one of the major components of the Government’s Women’s Plan of Action (2010 to 2019).
Nadelei soqosoqo vakamarama president Camasi Matakua said the project was now generating income for their women’s group.
“This is the first ever women’s project in our village and it symbolizes that women regardless of their qualification have the ability to operate a business, earn income and look after their family. The project has developed confidence and friendship among the women to work together in building better lives for their families,” Ms Matakua said
Meanwhile, Nadelei Village turaga-ni-koro Ilai Manoa thanked Government for providing income-generating opportunities for women which he said would contribute towards improving the livelihood of families in the village.
- MINFO NEWS

By TALEBULA KATE

The Housing Authority will be promoting its services as part of a roadshow targeting two key events.
The first, a week-long roadshow begins tomorrow focusing on promoting safety in the community in Labasa.
There will also be a Poverty Reduction Awareness campaign in Sigatoka from June 19 – 21.
“The Northern Crime Prevention Week is a time to promote safety in the community and in our homes,”said Housing Authority chief executive officer, Alipate Naiorosui.
At these events, Housing Authority executives will be updating the public about new subdivisions, home loans and ground rent payments. They will also be sharing about valuation services, surveying and construction costing.
“A key focus will be to create more awareness around the Gold Package home loan product that is targeted at first homeowners who earn $16,500 or less per annum,” Mr Naiorosui said.
“We anticipate a huge crowd at the Northern Crime Prevention Week and the Poverty Reduction Awareness campaign in Sigatoka and Housing Authority will use this opportunity to speak with our existing homeowners about how we can finance improvements to their existing home,” he said.
The Northern Crime Prevention carnival will be held at Subrail Park, Labasa and the Poverty Reduction Awareness will be held at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka.

By ANA SOVARAKI

The Holiday Inn Suva’s management and staff took up the initiative of cleaning up the Suva seawall and Nasese foreshore yesterday.
Hotel general manager Joseph Della Gatta said the clean-up was part of the service week celebration that is celebrated by hotels worldwide.
“During the service week we’ve had a whole list of activities that we carry out and we have included the clean-up into the programme,” Mr Della Gatta said.
“We also provided a special breakfast for staff as a thank you for their services.”
He said as general manager, he couldn’t imagine running the hotel without the hardworking staff.
“This clean-up is also part of our corporate responsibility to clean up the foreshore making sure it is kept pristine.
“We do this clean-up five times a year and this is one of those times.”
He said he was happy that the staff turned up in numbers and also involved their families in the clean-up.
Meanwhile, a guest at the hotel also volunteered to take part in the clean-up.
While this may happen on rare occasions, Virender Arya of India, who is in the country on a business trip was eager to take part when informed about it.
“I’m involved in clean-up initiatives in India as well and when a hotel staff told me about the clean-up I was really happy to be part of it.”

By LITIA MATHEWSELL

Clocking up to 100 kilometres, a group of mainly physically-challenged cyclists have proved that their shortcomings are no barrier to a lifestyle of fitness, well-being and achievements.
The team yesterday rolled into Nadi from Rakiraki, completing a one-week cycling tour around Viti Levu to raise awareness on the capabilities of disabled people and to raise funds for Melbourne-based charity Disability Sport and Recreation.
The annual fete was hosted in Fiji this year with Dave Reynolds of Raw Travel, a cycling-events organisation.
Among the group were nine riders with disabilities, with seven using hand cycles, a three-wheeled recumbent bike powered by the arms instead of legs.
Other riders included an above-knee amputee and an orthotic-user as well as two members of the Australian Women’s Wheelchair Basketball team; Shelley Chaplin and Leanne del Toso and former Paralympic swimmer Sam Bramham.
Disability Sport and Recreation chief executive officer Robert Anderson commended the local scenery and courtesy shown by other road users, particularly in challenging terrains such as the Sigatoka- Pacific Harbour stretch.
‘’We were very motivated, riding around in the beautiful countryside and drivers were extremely courteous and patient with us,’’ he said.
Other stopovers included Suva and Nataleira in Tailevu.
The group returns to Australia today.

The Princess Contestants for the 2013 Duavata Crime Prevention Carnival. Photo:LOSIRENE CHAND

By LOSIRENE CHAND

The Duavata Crime Prevention Carnival 2013 in Labasa kicked off yesterday.
With eight queens, five princesses and five kings vying for the titles this year, the march through the main streets of Labasa drew a large crowd.
It saw the Police Jazz Band dazzling the public with dance tricks; likewise the young Nabala Secondary School band blended in with their own mix.
Sponsored by Digicel Fiji the carnival was opened yesterday by the special administrator for Labasa and Savusavu, Vijay Chand.
“The theme ‘Duavata Community Policy Model’ pertains to achieve a milestone of interacting community partnership with Police and the citizens of the friendly towns of the North,” Mr Chand said.
“Citizens of both the towns of Labasa and Savusavu note with utmost appreciation, the contribution the Crime Prevention committees have made towards facilitating better living standards of all in the Northern Division.”
He reiterated that crime prevention was everyone’s concern and the responsibility should not solely be vested with the police.
The carnival ends on June 22.

Members of the public took part in the parade through Korovou Town yesterday. Photo: PAULINI RATULAILAI.

By LOSIRENE CHAND and TALEBULA KATE

As the country joins the world in celebrating Blood Donor Day, people in the North were encouraged to give blood.
Divisional medical officer northern, Doctor Pablo Romakin says people must take part in these initiatives.
“We encourage blood drives, it saves lives and blood drives are being carried out in all parts of Vanua Levu,” Dr Romakin said.
“Everyone can become a hero; a life saver by donating blood.”
World Blood Donor Day, celebrated on June 14 every year, serves to raise awareness on the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.
The 10th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day will focus on the value of donated blood to a patient, not only in saving life, but also in helping people live longer and more productive lives.
Dr Romakin said there was no shortage of blood at the Labasa Hospital, but blood drives were conducted to ensure a consistent supply.
“We need blood during emergency cases, so when people are donating blood, it ensures us that we have enough supply.
“Blood drives are an ongoing activity because blood supply is very important.”
He said it was important to build a holistically healthy community that would lead to bringing health and wellness to our communities.
At Gatward Park in Korovou, hundreds of people gathered to celebrate this annual event.
Chief guest, Permanent Secretary for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Josefa Koroivueta expressed gratitude to those who donate their blood to save the lives of others.
Yesterday’s event in Korovou began with a march led by the Fiji National Youth Band which included students of Queen Victoria School and Tailevu North High School.
A blood bank was also at the ground for those who wanted to donate blood.
“Donation of blood is an act of love for another person and is a business of the living and not the dead,” Dr Koroivueta said.

Improve running of game, lift our FIFA world rank

SEEING RED ... It was not a good day for Apisai Smith (second from left) of Navua after he was given his marching orders yesterday by referee Finau Vulivuli during the day one Fiji FACT match against Lautoka at the ANZ Stadium in Suva yesterday. The rugged match saw 11 yellow cards and two red cards. Lautoka won 2-1. More in Sport. Photo: RAMA

By MAKA BOLATIKI

Too often football in Fiji has been let down by the administrators, Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama told thousands of fans, players and administrators yesterday.
And he urged efforts to improve the standard of the game and lift Fiji’s falling world soccer body FIFA ranking.
Commodore Bainimarama made the comments while opening the 2013 Vodafone Fiji FACT tournament at the ANZ Stadium, Suva.
He is believed to be the first Prime Minister since 1979 to open a major national football tournament like this.
Commodore Bainimarama told the crowd:
“It’s a story that we’re all too familiar with in Fiji. Corruption, mismanagement and favouritism are barriers that our nation has faced in many different areas, including football.
“Transparency, accountability and good governance are absolutely critical to any organisation and Fiji’s sporting bodies are no exception.”
ACCOUNTABILITY
Under the draft constitution, the Prime Minister said public office holders would have to answer to an independent Accountability and Transparency Commission.
“The management of the Fiji Football Association and other sporting organisations should also be held to the same rigorous standard, answering not to a commission, but directly to the fans and players – to those whose confidence in the organisation has been shaken,” he said.
The Prime Minister urged Fiji Football Association officials to do a better job to regain the confidence of the public.
RESOURCES
He said: “They need to use the group’s affiliation with FIFA to channel resources into the sport. They need to open management to new blood, with new ideas.
“They need to focus on professional development, at all levels. They need to understand that just because someone is a good administrator; it doesn’t make him a good coach. And they need to work to get Fiji’s ranking back up where it belongs.”
The Prime Minister said his Government looked forward to working with Fiji Football Association to improving our overall rating as a football nation and promote sport as means to keep all Fijians fit and healthy.
As part of this initiative, the Prime Minister said Government plans to develop integrated sporting facilities throughout Fiji, particularly in rural areas.
For 23 years, the Prime Minister said, the FA Cup tournament had been a fixture on Fiji’s sporting calendar, because it brought together the best football teams from across the country.
UNIFYING FORCE
“Personally, I have always believed that football has been a great unifying force within our country. It attracts players and fans from all backgrounds and brings them together.
“It’s one of our major national sports, and is much loved by Fijians across the country.
“In fact, football fans the world-over are known for their die-hard passion. I’m sure all gathered here today would agree and are die-hard fans themselves.”
This, he said, is one reason why administrators must raise the quality and standard of Fijian football to the level our nation deserves.

BY LITIA MATHEWSELL

Government reforms that emphasise all citizens of Fiji being referred to as Fijians are at the centre of this year’s Bula Festival theme.
The festival’s organising committee, says their ‘festival of unity’ themed carnival is inspired by Government efforts to unite people.
The festival was officially launched at the New Nadi Farmer’s Club on Saturday evening. This opened Nadi’s festive season after months of preparations.
Trust president Titilia Vuataki said in the absence of unity, objectives could not be met. She said this included staging a fete such as the Bula Festival, which is scheduled from July 13-20 at Koroivolu Park.
‘’We want to continue providing an annual festival to assist Nadi’s poor, needy and underprivileged,’’
Chief guest and Nadi’s first female mayor Josephine Raikuna Williams encouraged the Bula Queen contestants to forge ahead and enjoy their journey.
‘’Nadi has lots of lovely, clever people with oomph. Focus on the map and be sure to put women up there all the time,’’ she urged.
Amongst the Trust’s long list of recipients are the Nadi District Hospital, Loloma Home for single mothers in Sabeto, the Treasure House Children’s Home and students registered with the Foundation for the Education of Needy Children (FENC Fiji).

The 2013 Bula Festival queen contestants strike a pose during the festival launch at the New Nadi Farmer’s Club last Saturday night. Photo:LITIA MATHEWSELL

BY ANA SOVARAKI

The Water Authority of Fiji will be clamping on illegal connections to the public sewerage system.
The Authority’s spokesperson Fulori Turaga, said these illegal connections were causing problems when it came to treating the waste.
“When someone doesn’t follow the proper channel and dumps their sewer waste into our sewerage line we won’t know what sort of waste that is.
“We won’t be able to treat it properly because we have proper channels of what goes within the process line and gets treated.”
She warned that offenders would be facing the full brunt of the law.
“We are urging people to follow the proper channel and contact us so that we come down to them and connect their sewerage line to our system,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Authority has intends to ensure that all commercial industries connect their sewers to the public sewerage line.
“Wastes discharged by commercial industries and companies can be very toxic and harmful to the environment and it has been bought to our attention,” Mrs Turaga said.

By ANA SOVARAKI

People need to change their attitude towards fire safety.
This was expressed by National Fire Authority Chief Executive Officer John O’Connor at the Holy Eucharist Parish in Laucala Bay, Suva yesterday.
“Last year there were 95 property fires and out of that 95 fires 12 people lost their lives in which 7 of them were children ages of infants to 5 year old.
‘When we went to fight the fire we find that these children had been left alone at home,” Mr O’Connor said.
He said it was no uncommon for investigators to find the charred remains of children all gathered at the door.
‘These children must have felt the heat and tried escaping but unfortunately the doors are usually locked from outside,” he said.
He said fires were very dangerous and people needed to start changing their attitude towards it.
“Make a fire evacuation plan, practice it, have a fire drill with your family making sure that all members of the family know what to do if the house catches fire.
Mr O’ Connor said some major causes of fire were children playing with matches, children left alone without adult supervision, unattended cooking, mosquito coil, candles, and electrical equipments.
“As of this date there are 48 property fires compared to 39 at the same time last year,” he said.

Members of the Raiwaqa Catholic Parish listen during the consultation by the Water Authority of Fiji and the National Fire Authority. Photo: PAULINI RATULAILAI

Source: Ministry for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation

Safeguarding the rights and interests of women is of paramount in creating violence-free communities.  This has been demonstrated by the Natalecake village that has become the first community in Ba to be declared as the violence-free village.
During her official tour to the western division last week, the Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni officially opened the declaration program at Natalecake village. She unveiled the billboard that signified the strengthened partnership between government and Natalecake villagers towards eliminating violence against women and children.
At the official declaration ceremony, Dr Luveni congratulated Natalecake villagers for their commitment towards the Zero Tolerance Violence Free Community Campaign.
“Natalecake is the 42nd community to have joined the zero tolerance violence free community program. The impacts of the campaign has been witnessed by the women and girls who have been given a voice in their community to speak for themselves and their roles as mother, wives and  daughters have been increasingly recognized.
Speaking about the impacts of the campaign, Mrs Luisa Marama, vice-president for Natalecake women’s group the women have been empowered to speak out on the domestic violence.
She said the greatest impact of this campaign was that it has moulded and motivated the women and young girls to change their mindset and have a positive mental attitude.
Mr Meli Nalulu, Natalecake village headman thanked the government for the campaign. He said that it had given a new beginning to Natalecake, to create a future free from violence.
Mrs Jokaveti Ralulu, police officer working with Natalecake village said that as a result of this campaign a gatekeeping committee has been formed. She said comprised of women, church and youth leaders of the village that works closely with police in maintaining a violence free environment.

Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Jiko Luveni, with the Natalecake villagers in Ba during the official declaration of Natalecake as a violence-free community.

By JYOTI PRATIBHA

PM SCORES
FACT GOAL

The PM’s timely message to the football fraternity won praise from fans who are tired of the decline of our once proud football standing.
Last year’s World Cup qualifier horror in Honiara seems to have been swept under the mat by those in control.
Meanwhile, it’s Tahiti now reaping the rich financial rewards of playing in FIFA’s Confederations Cup as Oceania champions.
Incidentally, great to see the PM opening one of our biggest district level tournaments.
According to those with longer memories than this writer the last time any PM did this was way back in 1979.

‘YOU HAVE TO
BEAT FIJIANS’

Speaking of PMs, some noise in those islands out east as Samoa’s PM Tuilaepa clashes with sections of their vital tourism industry.
They are claiming room occupancy problems. Tuilaepa, who is also tourism minister, hit back.
His response included suggesting they should market packages to New Zealand and Australia more effectively than Fijian competitors.

PEOPLE ON
THE MOVE

Talking about politics. The new team on the block, the People’s Democratic Party, have a few a surprises up their sleeve.
This party is not to be underestimated with some smart people amongst its leadership.
It is also carefully distancing itself from the parties from the past and their “united front”.

LABOUR
WORRY

Does Labour leader Mahendra Chaudhry agree with his Sydney-based son and onetime political heir apparent’s embarrassing attacks on one faith?
We were under the impression that Labour was promoting multiculturalism.
Is the suspended Suva lawyer still in “The Master’s” party?

As Phase III hits the halfway mark, electronic voter registration (EVR) is in full stride.
So far, a total of 13,112 Fijians have registered to vote during Phase III, bringing the grand total to 518,148 registered voters.
In addition, 1,592 lost voter identification cards have been replaced and 1,101 Fijians have made corrections to their personal registration details.
“We are very pleased with the way EVR is going. With two weeks left in Phase III, we encourage all Fijians living in the targeted areas, who have not yet registered, to do so before June 29th,” the acting Permanent Secretary of Justice Mohammed Saneem said.
The Permanent Secretary reminded Fijians interested in registering during Phase III to make sure they have one form of valid identification before going to register.
Valid forms of identification include Birth Certificate, Passport, Driving Licence, FNPF Card, Employment Card (with Photo ID), or Social Welfare Card.
EVR teams are stationed in locations around the country on Mondays through Saturdays, and mobile registration teams will be going door to door on Sundays.

-    MINFO NEWS

Waisea Tabua( facing the camera) get’s his Voter registration ID done by Hannah Komal at Daya Street in Vatuwaqa. Photo: PAULINI RATULAILAI

Teacher, accountant, reverend – and what they stand for

By ROSI DOVIVERATA

Luisa Kamenio is a teacher. Lorraine Foster is an accountant. Grace Reuben is a church minister. What do they have in common?
All are women leaders at a time when there is growing interest in women playing a significant role in the general elections in September next year.
It comes with the Bainimarama Government promoting equality for all under the voter registration slogan one vote, one value, one people.
It also comes with an opportunity for new people to step forward in the return to democratic government.
There are constant calls for new faces to play a leading role in the new Fiji, rather than a return to the politicians from our troubled past.
Today we highlight three more women as part of a continuing series of excerpts from FemLINKPACIFIC’s groundbreaking publication Here Are The Women.
FemLINKPACIFIC founder Sharon Bhagwan Rolls led the publication of this. Veteran journalist/writer Seona Smiles was editorial adviser.
Here’s the sections on Luisa Kamenio, Lorraine Foster, and the Reverend Grace Reuben, and what they stand for, courtesy of FemLINKPACIFIC.
Luisa Kamenio – is Vice President of the Catholic Women’s League in the Central and Eastern region of Fiji, an organisation with 35 branches around the country.
This well established organisation is involved in peace building and helping empower women economically and socially, as well as working for their spiritual development.
“My role is to plan for the organisation and empower leaders in different parishes to empower women in their parishes. I try to organise myself before and after school and over weekends, so that I’m a school teacher between 7.30am and 4.30am and then I work with the treasurer and secretary on outreach activities.
“We have programmes on basic home management that includes nutrition, and also try to help with economic empowerment through teaching financial literacy. We encourage women to voice their opinions in their communities and homes to lead improvements and help them develop an awareness of climate change and an environmental conscience. We also give opportunities to create a peaceful environment in their homes.

Societal structures
“Women also need to understand the different societal structures and where men become obstacles in their progress, so they can rise above the obstacles. Rural women have the resources to manage their families; we help them to use approaches to keep their families healthy and peaceful. We need to encourage women to plant their own food so they are self sufficient and help them see the advantages of fast maturing crops for the market.
“Coastal communities need help with marine resources and fisheries projects, and new programmes such as growing mushrooms. We try to find markets for island communities that produce handcrafts, such as mats.
“Urban women need help to start small businesses and to understand their potential for employment and self employment.
“As a teacher in a girls’ school I try to help them overcome problems and do well in their studies, so they can do well for themselves. The digital world is a strong influence and teachers need to keep ahead of it and help parents understand some of the problems and disadvantages as well as the advantages.
“For young women who are already educated we need to work harder to help them find ways of employment, perhaps consulting women who are already employed about how they can find jobs or use the resources around them as a source of income.”
Lorraine Foster – is a founder and coordinator of Rainbow Women’s Network, a Fiji organisation for marginalised women mostly focussing on sex workers and gay women.
Article 2 of the CEDAW convention deals with equality and is valuable for examining the multiple discrimination faced by women including that faced by women with non-heterosexual orientation and gender identities.
Lorraine, aged 50, is a qualified accountant. It is a demanding job but when Lorraine comes home in the evenings she spends several hours on the Rainbow network administration, trying to establish this new NGO, seeking funding, organising workshops and making contact with the increasing membership. There is now one fulltime staff member and two part time staff, and the membership includes supportive friends of sex workers and gay women.
“Women participate in decision making every day, make decisions for their home. In RWN decisions are made by the members, who tell us their needs and what activities they want, and we try to do work around their needs. I think CEDAW hasn’t fully addressed the concerns and issues of marginalised women, women sex workers and gay women so hopefully RWN will address those needs.
“We try to empower women to discuss discrimination. There is also a lot of domestic violence directed at gay women and we have group meetings to support these women and give them information.

young women
“Young women play a big role in life and because they are young, doesn’t mean they don’t have a say. Us older women should take the time to listen to our young people. When we listen and they have issues and can discuss things, especially at school and home, it helps them decide well for themselves.
“Barriers will still be there against marginalised women probably after I am dead, but I think we can minimise discrimination and domestic violence by creating awareness in society and saying that despite being marginalised we are actually mothers and sisters and society should be more tolerant.
“We would like other women’s NGOs to share resources such as counselling because they can help and we have limited resources – and although marginalised, we are women.”
Reverend Grace Reuben – is the one of the few ordained female ministers in the Methodist Church in Fiji, serving with the Indian Division.
“When I grew up women were not considered equal when it came to decision making. Women never had the right to make decisions; they had to listen to what the men said. I just flowed with the system then, bit I would say things are changing now. In the Methodist church women are now allowed to become ministers and I am thankful to my Division for giving me the opportunity to be a candidate and study until now I am appointed to the Dudley circuit.

Women’s roles
“Within the church I think that most of the time, although women are given a role they are looked down upon as a second rate person and are defeated. In making decisions we still face that challenge, especially in meetings where we feel differentiated. Men are always in the leading roles.
“The roles women have in the church mostly involves pastoral work, meaning we visit members and the sick. We in the church don’t make decisions for them, we share and ask and decisions are made by them. But in the context of leading a church as a circuit minister, I don’t have much right to make decisions. It is always the leading minister who handles everything; I am a second minister so I follow his instructions.
“I believe women should be given the right to access decision making. If you are right, even if men are dominant, you need to speak out and I am sure that in God’s time men will listen to the voices of women. In our church it is said that women are the backbone. But in many places women are just used as a rubber stamp. They need to stand up, move forward and speak out when they know they are right.
“Concerning violence against women, some abused women come to the church and receive counselling but I believe more needs to be done, not only in the church but in the wider society.”

Reverend Grace Reuben is the one of the few ordained female ministers in the Methodist Church in Fiji