Tudravu pushes for change

Fiji's Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu believes that enhancing women's involvement in peacekeeping operations must start from within Fiji's own disciplined forces. He emphasized that institutions need to tackle internal obstacles before expecting women to assume greater international responsibilities.

Speaking at the launch of the Gender Barrier Assessment Report, Tudravu stated, “I firmly believe that everything starts at home, and I wish to see that the challenges women face are addressed first from within the two organizations, before we reach out to peacekeeping roles.” He questioned whether women within the forces receive fair treatment and if the working environment is suitable for them.

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I firmly believe that everything starts at home, and I wish to see that the challenges women face are addressed first from within the two organizations, before we reach out to peacekeeping roles. Are our women getting fair treatment from the leadership of the forces? Is the working environment suitable for our mothers, sisters, daughters, who are also our comrades?

A total of 1,650 police officers have been deployed to regional and international operations, with 149 of them being women. Tudravu expressed his commitment to promoting women into leadership roles based on their performance and capability, noting that he has already promoted several women to leadership positions since becoming Commissioner and expects more to follow.

Colonel Jofiliti Talemaibau, Director of Human Resources for the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, affirmed their commitment to advancing gender equality. He described the report as a mirror reflecting the institution's current standing, highlighting both strengths and challenges. The launch of the Gender Barrier Assessment Report is seen as a crucial step in identifying and removing barriers for women in the disciplined forces, thereby promoting greater participation in peacekeeping and leadership roles.

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This report is not just a document, but mirrors where we currently stand as an institution. The findings highlight both our strengths and our challenges.