Members of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) accepted the invitation by the Honorable Siromi Turaga, Minister for Justice and Minister responsible for Elections. The visit held at the Suvavou House Offices, was a short brief for the senior CEDAW officials, SPC and PIFS representatives. The courtesy visit and Talanoa is a hallmark of the historic week in which the full CEDAW Committee is meeting in the Pacific region for the first time.

The courtesy visit provided an opportunity for key representatives to engage with the Minister for Justice, Hon. Siromi Turaga in advance of the formal dialogue scheduled for tomorrow at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. Discussions during the visit touched on areas of mutual interest, including legislative reform, women’s rights particularly with regards to Temporary Special Measures (TSM) and ongoing efforts to align national frameworks with international human rights obligations.

Honorable Siromi Turaga stated that the need to engage with women, the marginalized, the disabled and moreso to hear the views of every citizen and have an election that is just, democratic and fair is key to access to Justice.

This engagement takes place during a landmark session aimed at strengthening regional commitment to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Throughout the week, the Committee have been reviewing country reports from Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu, while also encouraging broader participation from Pacific Island Countries in the CEDAW process.

The presence of the Committee in Fiji reflects a growing emphasis on regional cooperation and inclusivity in treaty body engagement. It also supports efforts to localise the implementation of the Convention and ensure that rights holders and duty bearers across the Pacific are empowered to contribute to positive, constructive change.

Among those who participated in today’s visit were Ms. Bandana Rana of the CEDAW Committee, Mr. Andrea Ori of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Miles Young of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Ms. Mereseini Vuniwaqa of the Pacific Community, Ms. Raijieli Tuivaga of the Fiji Law Reform Commission (FLRC), and Ms. Fulori Turaga of the Fiji Elections Office.

The Ministry for Justice in collaboration with the Attorney Generals Chambers, has in March 2025 appointed the FLRC to appoint PT Commissioners to review the three pieces of Electoral Legislations.

The Ministry for Justice Congratulates the Minstry of Women, Children and Social Protection, PIFS, SPC and all delegates to the CEDAW Meeting every success during the final day of deliberations tomorrow.