Gender Justice in the Archdiocese of Suva, Fiji
Sr Mariana Tevurega, SM
Coordinator Gender Justice – Women’s Ministry
It is my privilege to write of the work I do in the Archdiocese of Suva at the Gender Justice desk as requested by the Archbishop of Suva, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong. It is now four years since Caritas Fiji was established.
In line with the Caritas Archdiocese of Suva vision, the strategic plan for Gender Justice is an important component of the work we do to deal with injustices in the society in which we live. It includes just and right relationships, mutual respect and accountability, respect for creation and the rights of all people to live life in all its fullness. Men, women, and youth must together address gender and economic injustices. Gender justice is not just a concern of women but instead is an issue for everyone.
A whole range of social issues that are rooted in unequal power relations must be dealt with by all and not to be seen as piecemeal. Gender justice can be a fundamental building block for church and society.
However, men are often socialized into not dealing with their emotions, fears, and vulnerabilities. They have a vested interest in changing these stereotypes so that they can become better sons, fathers, brothers, partners, and humans. The establishment of a men’s ministry was made to respond to the needs of men since crimes of any kind pointed to men as perpetrators. Having women, men and youth ministries will consolidate the reduction of violence and abuse in our society. That is why Gender justice requires all genders to work together in partnership.
It is also integral to our spiritual growth and must be realized in our right relationship with God. Gender perspectives invite us to examine and unravel power relations across the breadth of gender identities, paying particular attention to those persons in the intersection of gender and race, colour, sexuality, class, disability, and poverty.
Grounded in respect for the body, Gender Justice should foster physical, emotional, and spiritual health and wholeness. God rejoices when we celebrate spirituality with holiness and integrity. We must all take responsibility to live out what we believe to be socially acceptable to God first and in our family and other members of humankind. Women and men are created equally in the image of God and that they therefore should be treated with equal respect and dignity. It testifies to all baptized people that God has been calling both women and men to ministries of spiritual leadership and granting them the gifts and graces to carry out those roles.
Nonetheless our youth play active leadership roles too in the areas of sport, education, the art, and community programs, as well as in other activities. It is important to highlight the shared desire of young people to be recognized and supported as they play an integral role in the building of the future. The young people resolved to create and strengthen existing programs that enabled them to understand politics and good governance. They want to be recognized as youths championing Gender Justice and working in collaborations with other relevant organisations. Young people like to freely express themselves. This is the challenge for elders and current leaders.
Our youth ministry aims to include them in more risk involved activities and programs alongside the men’s and women’s ministry to help the community through humanitarian projects. This will contribute to building better and healthier family relationships.
It is our primary call that women, men and youths must be creatively engaged in our local communities to network and bring the people of Christ together as agents of justice, reconciliation, transformation, and redemption.
As Caritas Fiji members, we need to reflect by our very lives that we oppose anything that disempowers or dehumanizes the lives of our people that are treated unjustly. We stand together with other organisations for the sake of justice and all our continuous efforts will be for the benefit of our beloved people especially towards healthy family relationships. Let us positively uplift and champion our Gender justice work in all that we do and say.
