National Council of Women Fiji

The Fiji NCW is a non-governmental organisation that was established in 1968 to be the focal point for the women of Fiji. Today it is one of the strongest bodies in the country that voices Fiji women's concerns. It is also the umbrella organisation of women NGO's in Fiji. It is a non-profit, non-political, multi-ethnic and multi-religious organisation.

Nature Of The Council

• The Council is a national coordinating body of women's organisations/groups in Fiji.
• The Council acts as a national forum providing women of Fiji with a collective voice to speak out and take action on issues of local, national and international concerns.
• The Council is a non-political, non-sectarian, non-profit and non-government organisation.

Functions

Inform Women

• about issues and projects
• about the expectations and needs of their women

Raise Consciousness

• By making women's lives more visible to other women and to society as a whole.

Act As A Catalyst

• By generating discussions of problems and courses of action.

Give Women Access To:

• Various channels of communications where they can be heard and which they can adapt to their needs.

Provide A Supportive Environment

• In which women feel free to speak out.

Aims of the Council

• To promote the interests of women in particular that of women with disabilities, the girl child and the marginalised
• To advocate on behalf of women and children to ensure development efforts produce sustainable and justly distributed improvements to the quality of life for all Fiji citizens.

Objectives Of The Council

• To promote solidarity and unity amongst women for the advancement of women's status in Fiji.
• To conduct research on the needs of women and the girl-child
• To monitor, analyse and take appropriate action on non government policies and programs that impact on women and the girl-child.
• To mobilise and organise resources for action
• To collect and distribute information
• To facilitate active networking between women's organisations in Fiji.
• To work in cooperation with other organisations having similar aimsas the Council.
• To maintain links with the International Council of Women and the National Women's Umbrella bodies in other countries.
• To promote the recognition and support of the Council's aims and objectives by the government agencies, private sector organisations, regional and international bodies and the public at large.

Focus Areas

The seven issues identified that the NCW Fiji affiliates to facilitate national action on are:

• Mechanisms for the Advancement of Women
• Education and Training
• Health
• Environment
• Human Rights
• Poverty Alleviation & Economic Empowerment of Women
• Shared Decision-Making

Main Activities/Projects

• Education and Training - Program Management and Financial Management
• Guidance and Counselling Skills Training on Child Abuse for Affiliates
• Women in Politics Project - Educating women on local and national governing institutions, electoral systems and radio programs in vernacular on the Local Government Procedures, awareness programs, voter education workshops.
• Women's Action For Democracy & Perace Project (an initiative that was established to address the long-term effects of the May 2000 political crisis).
• Information dissemination - updates, seminars, panel discussions

Management

It is governed by its Constitution and at the apex of policy decision making is the Executive Council (EC) which comprises of two representatives from each affiliate organisation. The EC meets regularly on a quarterly basis. In addition to the EC are the seven members of the Executive Commmittee who are elected every two years to oversee the management and running of the planned activities.

Membership

Membership of the Council is open to national, district, community or professional women's organisations including women's political wings with the following conditions:

• Have a membership of at least ten women
• Have a constitution and/or a statement of objectives that are in line with the objectives of the Council
• Have been in existence for at least one (1) year

The Annual Subscription for Member organisations is $100.00. The prescribed non-refundable application fee for any new member is $10.00.
To be a member of the NCW Fiji, the organisation will have to fill out the mebership application form and accompanied by the $10.00 non-refundable application fee.

For further queries on membership contacdt the Coordinator at the NCW Fiji Secretariat Office.