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

2. 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

3. 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

4. Facts and Figures (cont)
females Males
Population 49% 51%
Life Expectancy
Infant Mortality
Adult Literacy

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

6. Gender Statistics Report

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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Unpublished Data from both Govt/Other Agencies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

10. 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)

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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, ) 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. The end
Thank
You