Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion Situational Analysis Navua Catchment and Beqa Lagoon 2024

This report provides a situational analysis of Gender Equality, Persons with Disabilities and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) in the Navua River Basin and Beqa Lagoon in 2024. The aim of the report is to establish a common understanding to integrate gender, human rights, and poverty reduction into the Integrated Ecosystem Management Plan (IEMP).

Key points:

• Governance: The governance system is based on the vanua concept and traditional Fijian structure. Village chiefs serve as crucial liaisons, representing the community in communication with provincial authorities and promoting development goals.
• Socio-economics: The region is predominantly rural, with communities heavily reliant on agriculture and fishing for livelihoods. Unemployment rates are higher than in urban areas and disproportionately affect women.

Risks and Challenges:

• Environment: Water pollution from chemicals, gravel mining, deforestation, and ineffective waste management are causing degradation of river and lagoon ecosystems.
• Society: Population growth is putting pressure on infrastructure and village boundaries.
• Institutions: Lack of representation of vulnerable groups in provincial councils and inconsistent resource management legislation are hindering conservation efforts.
• Policy Framework: The project adheres to the Fiji Constitution, the CEDAW Convention, the Convention on the Rights of
• Persons with Disabilities, and the Gender Policy in Agriculture (2022-2027) to promote equality and sustainable development.

The project emphasizes community consultation through talanoa, helping to build trust and encourage open dialogue between generations.