International Day of Parliamentarism – Message by the Speaker of Parliament the Hon. Filimone Jitoko

Today, we mark the International Day of Parliamentarism. This year the theme is a call to action: “Achieving gender equality, action by action.”

June 30 marks the International Day of Parliamentarism, a day dedicated to recognising the vital role that parliaments play in upholding democracy. First observed in 2018 and linked to the founding of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (‘IPU’) in 1889, this annual occasion was introduced by the United Nations to spotlight the significance of open, inclusive, and representative parliamentary systems.

It serves as a moment for legislative bodies around the world to reflect on how far they have come—evaluating efforts to broaden inclusivity, harness new technologies, and strengthen their accountability to the people they serve.

This year’s theme, ‘Achieving gender equality, action by action,’ is a campaign led by the IPU, of which Fiji is a member. The theme is in line with the IPU’s theme of the year and focuses on parliaments taking action to advance gender equality.

Despite progress in many areas, countless women across the globe continue to be denied fundamental human rights and are disproportionately affected by discrimination and gender-based violence. Parliaments are no exception—most parliaments remain male-dominated, and women are often under-represented in decision-making institutions.

For decades, the IPU and its members have worked tirelessly to elevate the voices of women in politics, grounded in the belief that true democracy can only flourish through gender equality. Their efforts span a range of initiatives—from promoting gender quotas and forming women’s caucuses to providing vital support for female legislators. A key aim is to reshape parliaments into inclusive, gender-sensitive institutions that actively uphold and protect women’s rights.

Yet, despite meaningful progress, many women around the world still endure discrimination, violence, and systemic inequality—barriers that remain evident in the continued male dominance of many parliamentary bodies.

The IPU, in partnership with its member parliaments, has also been working passionately to change this. For years, the IPU has championed the empowerment of women in Parliament, firmly believing that gender equality strengthens democracies. A Plan of Action for Gender-Sensitive Parliaments was published in 2017, and it focuses on three main goals: increasing the presence of women in Parliament through effective measures like quotas and parliamentary caucuses; offering strong support to women parliamentarians; and transforming parliaments into gender-sensitive institutions that actively promote and protect women’s rights.

For the Fijian Parliament, this year’s theme offers both an opportunity to celebrate achievements and a call to continue pushing boundaries. It is a timely chance to reflect on how far we have come whilst renewing our pledge to build a legislature that truly reflects and uplifts every Fijian voice.

Over the past ten years, the Fijian Parliament has taken meaningful steps toward becoming a more inclusive, gender-responsive institution. Whilst challenges remain, the progress made highlights a deep and ongoing commitment to advancing equality within our democratic framework. The Fijian Parliament has proudly led the way on gender equality, being among the first parliaments globally to integrate gender scrutiny into its Standing Orders, specifically Standing Order 110(2). This means all parliamentary committees are required to factor in gender considerations across their work. With tools like the Gender Toolkit and a strong partnership with the United Nations Development Programme Fiji Parliament Support Project, Members of Parliament are better equipped than ever to embed gender perspectives into their legislative, representative, oversight and scrutiny functions.

This year’s International Day of Parliamentarism strikes a meaningful chord with Fiji’s ongoing efforts toward inclusive governance. It serves not only as a call to action but also as a chance to reflect on the strides taken and the hurdles that still lie ahead. Fiji’s dedication to this mission is clearly reflected in both its public messaging and its institutional reforms, all focused on tackling deep-rooted inequalities and building a more representative parliamentary system.

In addition to its gender-sensitive Standing Orders, the Fijian Parliament actively supports the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (‘CWP’) Fiji Group—a network comprising all female Members of Parliament. As part of the broader CWP network under the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the CWP Fiji Group is committed to advancing women’s political leadership and promoting governance that takes gender equality seriously. Through its work, the CWP Fiji Group plays a key role in shaping a more inclusive and representative political landscape.

Progress toward gender parity in Parliament has been hard-won—and far from finished. Women’s representation in Fiji’s legislature has consistently struggled to reach the 20 percent mark. After the 2022 general election, that number stood at just 10.9 percent, and by February 2023, it had dropped further to 9 percent—significantly trailing behind both global and Pacific regional averages. These figures serve as a wake-up call that achieving real gender balance in political leadership remains an urgent task.

Still, Fiji stands firm in its commitment to change. We continue to translate our values into concrete actions, aiming to build an inclusive and equitable democracy that sets an example for the world.

Because representation is not a statistic—it is a right. Inclusion is not a luxury—it is a necessity. The stories and strength of our mothers, sisters, daughters, and grandmothers must continue to shape the decisions made in every parliamentary chamber and committee.

As an active member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Fiji embraces the IPU’s Plan of Action for Gender-Sensitive Parliaments. Our Parliament renews its pledge to uphold these principles and keep pushing forward.

Let this International Day of Parliamentarism be more than a moment—let it be a movement. One where every policy and every voice reflects a deep belief that democracy flourishes when no one is left behind.

Wishing everyone a powerful and purposeful International Day of Parliamentarism!