10 March 2008
Virisila Buadromo Carries On Fiji’s Warrior Tradition
Rights activist wins Department of State’s Women of Courage Award
“In war they are fearless and savage to the utmost degree, but in peace their disposition is mild and generous towards their friends.” -- William Lockerby, adventurer, marooned in Fiji in 1808
Washington -- Fijians long have been known for their warrior traditions, which are continued today in the person of human rights activist Virisila Buadromo and her decades-long fight for gender equality and legal and policy reform in her country.
Her vocal opposition to the December 2006 coup garnered her detention and physical abuse at the hands of Fiji’s military-backed government.
But beatings, threats and intimidation only served to strengthen her resolve to champion women’s, civil and human rights. She has increased her involvement in these issues as chairwoman of the Fiji nongovernmental organization Coalition on Human Rights.
In 2001, Buadromo was appointed executive director of the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM). Traditionally, the organization focused on lobbying Fiji’s parliament and the Fiji government. But the parliament has been dissolved under Commodore Bainimarama, who leads the country in the wake of the coup. And for the FWRM to engage with the interim government would compromise the organization’s stated position that the government is illegal.
In this environment, FWRM has re-energized its community-based efforts. Especially notable is its Emerging Leaders Forum (ELF), a yearlong training program for young women that covers a range of topics -- from environment and sustainable development to feminism and public speaking. The 2007 program particularly emphasized democracy and human rights. Critical to the development of future women leaders, the ELF provides a safe forum in which young women can debate and explore their ideas about the current political situation in Fiji.
Another key program is FWRM’s outreach efforts targeted at raising awareness of Fiji’s family law and the Family Law Court. Advertising with pamphlets in English, Hindi and Fijian, FWRM is working to educate Fiji’s most vulnerable citizens about their rights and the ability to access justice.
Buadromo’s efforts have won her a 2008 International Women of Courage Award. In its second year, the award is the result of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s desire to recognize women around the globe who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in promoting women’s rights and advancement.
Buadromo was joined by seven other women who received this award at a ceremony March 10 at the U.S. Department of State. The other awardees, drawn from Somalia, Kosovo, the Palestinian Authority, Pakistan, Paraguay, Iraq and Afghanistan, were selected from 93 nominees submitted by U.S. embassies worldwide.
