Election hopefuls target drugs and family crisis

Two political hopefuls, Mereoni Marama and Repeka Kagi, have announced their intention to run in Fiji's upcoming general election, both calling for greater women's representation and enhanced leadership to tackle pressing social and economic issues. Their candidacies emerge as Fiji grapples with significant challenges, including rising drug abuse, the erosion of family structures, and widespread concerns about community well-being and economic stability.

Mereoni Marama, who works as a political party administrator and trauma healing facilitator, focuses her efforts on supporting women and young people affected by addiction and emotional distress. She believes her approach fosters safe, culturally sensitive environments conducive to recovery and stability. Marama stressed the vital role women play in rebuilding trust and social cohesion, noting her own engagement in party politics since 2018, which began at the community level. "We have been talking, prominent women leaders have been talking to us, sharing their experiences, there is a path for the women that are here right now who will be contesting the general elections, we believe there is a vision, there is a path, there is a way that is going to take us into parliament to bring back what women are and we are not going to look down at past women politicians, we thank them, they have contributed to the wellness of this nation and we believe that we can do better in the next general election," she stated.

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We have been talking, prominent women leaders have been talking to us, sharing their experiences, there is a path for the women that are here right now who will be contesting the general elections, we believe there is a vision, there is a path, there is a way that is going to take us into parliament to bring back what women are and we are not going to look down at past women politicians, we thank them, they have contributed to the wellness of this nation and we believe that we can do better in the next general election.

Repeka Kagi, an economist and financial analyst, attributes her political aspirations to concerns over policy deficiencies and the need for greater economic resilience. As vice president of a women's political forum and a mother of seven, Kagi asserts that her background provides a deep understanding of national issues, particularly in resource management, fiscal planning, and crisis preparedness. She has written extensively on global economic pressures, including the oil crisis, and advocates for Fiji to better leverage its natural resources to mitigate external shocks. Kagi also called for increased female participation in decision-making, arguing that women's perspectives are currently underrepresented in governance and policy development. "Being an analyst, an economist, writing papers, so whenever there is a policy and if I want to object it, I do the research for it. And from my profession as an economist, I have to analyse.And for that, it has built me the confidence to enter into this space and it gives me a more clear picture of what to advocate of. And also being an entrepreneur and a resource owner, so it has given me confidence because there’s a lot of unfairness, I may say, that when we’re trying to raise up issues and it hasn’t been addressed," she explained.

Both candidates share similar concerns regarding social instability and the pressures facing families. Marama emphasizes rebuilding trust within communities, while Kagi prioritizes strengthening governance systems and ensuring equitable policies. Their platforms aim to address the multifaceted challenges confronting Fiji, with a particular focus on empowering women and fostering a more stable and prosperous future.

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Being an analyst, an economist, writing papers, so whenever there is a policy and if I want to object it, I do the research for it. And from my profession as an economist, I have to analyse.And for that, it has built me the confidence to enter into this space and it gives me a more clear picture of what to advocate of. And also being an entrepreneur and a resource owner, so it has given me confidence because there’s a lot of unfairness, I may say, that when we’re trying to raise up issues and it hasn’t been addressed.