Through this Policy, the Government of Fiji (GoF) shows its strong commitment to effective climate change adaptation, mitigation and disaster risk reduction, as well as their strong commitment to achieving gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) in Fiji society, including in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction efforts, as indicated through ratification of numerous laws, policies, conventions and frameworks. At the national level, the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji provides for nondiscrimination on the basis of gender and objectives related to gender equity; women’s empowerment and social inclusion are emphasised in Fiji’s 5-Year and 20-Year National Development Plan (NDP),1 in national policies on gender, disability and youth, and through legislation, such as the Domestic Violence Decree 2009. The Climate Change Act also has a strong focus on ensuring GESI outcomes.
The Ministry of Economy (MoE), the government agency responsible for ensuring sound economic management of the national economy in line with short-, medium- and longterm macro-economic and sustainable development targets, recognizes that promoting equity and inclusion is both a moral imperative and an economic necessity. As noted in the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Assessment (GAP), that underpins this policy (see Annex II), existing gaps in the economic and political participation of women at all levels, the under-involvement of people with disabilities (PWD), and high levels of domestic violence continue to constrain the overall development of the nation.
