Production of gender statistics workshop New Delhi 6th-10th August Vasemaca Lewai Fiji Bureau of Statistics Suva FIJI

Outline Fiji Facts and Figures Gender Statistics Reports Women and Men of Fiji Islands Sources of Data Facts and Figures About Fiji Major Operational and Methodological Issues Strategies Challenges Conclusion Conclusions

1. Facts and Figures Interim Government Sugar Main Export Tourism major source of F/Exchange Remittances is 2nd Population 853,000 Fijians (55%) Indians (37% Growth Rate of < !% annually

Facts and Figures (cont) females Males Population 49% 51% Life Expectancy 68.7 64.5 Infant Mortality 23.0 22.0 Adult Literacy 91.4 94.5

2.Gender statistics Report 2 reports Compiled 1st report very broad. Compiled by a consultant. 2nd Report Compiled by Chandra and Lewai of the University and CSO respectively

Gender Statistics Report

3. Women and Men of the Fiji Islands(Gender Statistics and Trends) The authors compiled the report based on their concern on the lack of a gender profile to measure the status of women relative to men and more importantly to identify gender gaps. There were no consultation fee but a small grant from the Ministry of Women to cover operational activities.

Contents of the report Demographics of Gender Education and Training Health Status Household and Family Economic Activity Women in Businesses Decision Making Social Issues Data Problems and Data Gaps Conclusion

4. Sources of Data Census Survey reports on Various Topics Annual Reports from different Depts/Agencies Unpublished Data from both Govt/Other Agencies Special Researches

5. Major Operational and Methological Issues Census Taken every 10 years 2 to 4 years_long wait to integrate gender based social and economic indicators into public policy and planning Published data does not provide detail information on key themesas education, health,economic activity (informal sector)

5. Major Operational and Methological Issues Surveys Sample Surveys can be a source of detailed information of gender but low priority of gender issues hinders its inclusion in surveys Current available survey results are published at higher geographical units with specific focus on ethnicity. Information are household based_information therefore is limited to household heads and not all individuals.

5. Major Operational and Methological Issues Administrative Records Administrative forms are not standardised. Some administrative records collect information by gender but this is not published in annual reports. Accessing different sources of data has been tedious and time consuming Data on business participation and economic participation has been problematic and not collected at gender level.

6.Strategies The govt.recognises the need to address inequalities in all aspects of life (SDP emphasizes the need to involve women in national development. The govt will move towards a target of 50% representation in decision making levels (boards, councils and Committees) The National Plan of Action (WPA, 1999-2008) addresses 5 key Areas, mainstreaming women and gender concerns, women and Law, Women and Micro enterprising, balancing Women and decision making and violence against women.

7.Challenges Low priority of Gender issues exists in all aspects of life Cultural and religious barriers are very much intact in the society Gender is often associated with Women’s issues_therefore lacks men’s participation. Cultural role of women results in lack of understanding of women’s participation and contribution to the the economy.

Conclusions Critical requirement to assess the improvement in women’s social and economic development is the collection and analysis of sex disaggregated data. Lack of sex disaggregated data and poor quality of existing data hinder proper assessment of women’s status in society. Sex disaggregated data will both help policy formulation and accurately and promptly measure the success these policies.

The end Thank You