Jiko Luveni

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jiko Luveni (2018)

Jiko Fatafehi ​​Luveni (born 1946 on Ono-i-Lau ; died December 22, 2018 ) was a Fijian athlete, dentist and politician. The first woman in that office, she served from 2014 until her death in 2018 as a spokesperson of the Parliament of Fiji .

life and career

Luveni came from the village of Nukuni on Ono-i-Lau , where her parents owned a shop. Her father also ran a shipping company. Luveni was the sixth of a total of nine siblings. Even as a child, she had the goal of becoming a dentist. She received her education in Lautoka and Suva and at the Adi Cakobau School in Sawani . She then became the first Fijian woman to graduate from the Fiji School of Medicine in dentistry in 1967 . She earned another degree in public dentistry from the University of Sydney in 1982 .

After that, Luveni initially worked as a dentist and filled various positions in the public health sector. She traveled to Malaysia , Japan and Tanzania as a consultant for the World Health Organization . After working at the Fijian Ministry of Health , she worked for the United Nations Population Fund for fifteen years from 1988 , before retiring early in 2003. She then turned to Fijian affairs and, for example, developed a national AIDS awareness program . She was also a tutor in dentistry at the Fiji School of Medicine .

In 2008, two years after Frank Bainimarama's coup , she began her political career. In Bainimarama's interim government , she served as Minister for Women , Children, Health and Poverty Reduction. She also served as Chair of the Lau Islands Council , but gave up this post in 2014 ahead of the general election .

In September 2014, the first free elections since the 2006 military coup took place. Luveni stood for Bainimarama's FijiFirst party and was elected to parliament as one of eight women with 2,296 votes . She was then elected Speaker of Parliament on October 6, 2014 and, in accordance with the constitution, resigned from FijiFirst. She was the first woman in this office. In 2015 she was temporarily traded as a possible candidate for the office of state president . After the parliamentary elections in 2018 , she was confirmed in her role as parliamentary leader. In the election in the Fijian parliament on November 26, 2018, she prevailed against opposition candidate Tanya Waqanika with 27 to 24 votes .

Luveni died in December 2018 after a short illness. She was married twice and, according to various sources, had five or seven children. On February 11, 2019, Epeli Nailatikau was elected as her successor as speaker.

Athletic career

Luveni was an ambitious athlete. In 1966 she won the national table tennis championships and competed in this sport for Fiji at the South Pacific Games . That same year she was nominated for Fijian Sportswoman of the Year. Later she focused more on golf . Only four years after starting this, she became Fijian champion in this sport and represented her country at two other Pacific Games . Luveni was also active in netball and volleyball . After her active career, she became involved in the National Sports Council and the National Olympic Committee .

Political positions and achievements

Role of parliament

After the reintroduction of a democratically elected parliament in 2014, Luveni considered it appropriate to better inform the population about its working methods. To this end, she undertook several information tours, particularly to schools in rural areas.

Luveni was strongly committed to international networking for the Fijian parliament. Under her leadership, collaborations with numerous foreign parliaments emerged.

Luveni did not shy away from breaking with tradition. In the past, the speakers of earlier Fijian parliaments had always worn wigs and traditional garb, based on the British House of Commons . At the beginning of 2016, Luveni announced that from now on he would deviate from this practice and only wear the wig on ceremonial occasions.

It has always been important to her to observe good parliamentary customs. Several times she reprimanded parliamentarians for wrongdoing. She also pushed ahead with the adoption of a code of conduct for Parliament.

equality

Luveni saw herself as a pioneer for a stronger role for women in politics and society. She said she was pleased that many important positions in Fijian politics were held by women, but also noted that there is still a long way to go before full equality is achieved. In her role as minister, Luveni concluded several international agreements to empower women and promote equality. She also started national initiatives to give women a stronger representation in politics.

Her contribution to the equality of women in the Pacific region has been recognized several times.

Climate protection

Luveni named sustainable development under the sign of climate change as the most pressing problem in the South Pacific. After the destruction caused by Cyclone Winston in 2016, she and other parliamentarians provided active disaster relief.

criticism

Victim blaming

The organization Fiji Women's Right Movement threw Luveni for comments on rape cases in 2014 Victim blaming ago. Similar allegations were made in 2016 after Luveni said that women were often complicit in domestic violence against them. Even after severe criticism from various quarters, she did not retract these statements.

neutrality

Luveni has been repeatedly accused by the opposition of interpreting her role as parliamentary speaker unilaterally in favor of the ruling party FijiFirst . While it tolerates or ignores racist attacks on the part of the government, it sanctioned comparatively harmless offenses by opposition politicians. Such allegations were always rejected by Luveni. An attempted removal of Luvenis in February 2016 by opposition leader Teimumu Kepa failed.

Suspension of opposition MPs

During her first term as President of Parliament, some opposition MPs were temporarily excluded from parliament. After insulting Luveni in May 2015, Naiqama Lalabalavu was suspended for two years and was no longer allowed to enter the parliament building during this time. The opposition politicians Biman Prasad , Prem Singh and Tupou Draunidalo each received a one-month ban in February 2016. Finally, in June 2016, Draunidalo was excluded from parliament for the remainder of the legislative period. This action by Parliament, led by Luveni, led to national and international criticism, for example from Amnesty International . In September 2016, Isoa Tikoca, a third member of parliament, was suspended for an extended period. He was expelled until the end of the legislature because of racist remarks.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e f Tributes flow after speaker of Fiji parliament dies . In: Radio NZ . December 24, 2018.
  2. ↑ a b c Nemani Delaibatiki: Posthumous Award For Late Speaker Dr Jiko Luveni . In: Fiji Sun . December 24, 2018.
  3. ↑ a b c d Amelia Vunileba: The doctor, golfer who is a haven to HIV people . In: Fiji Times . April 29, 2007.
  4. ↑ a b c Anna Repina: Jiko Luveni: from Dentist to the Speaker of the Parliament . In: Eurasian Women's Community . September.
  5. ^ A b Brij V. Lal :: Historical Dictionary of Fiji . Rowman & Littlefield, 2015
  6. ↑ a b Biography . In: Global Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament . September.
  7. ↑ a b Speaker of parliament passes away . In: FBC News . 22nd December 2018.
  8. ^ Iva Danford: Speaker of Parliament Dr Jiko Luveni Passes Away . In: Crosbiew Blogspot . 22nd December 2018.
  9. ↑ a b c Ilaitia Ravuwai: Speaker Of Parliament, Dr Jiko Luveni, Dies At 72 . In: Fiji Sun . 22nd December 2018.
  10. ^ A b Iva Danford: Speaker of parliament Dr Jiko Luveni passes away . In: fijivillage.com . 23 December 2018.
  11. ↑ a b Speaker: No links to FijiFirst, no law prevents people from criticizing parliamentarians . In: Nuku'alofa Times . 2nd May 2017.
  12. ↑ Maika Bolatiki: Three Women In Presidential Mix . In: Fiji Sun . 16th September 2015.
  13. ↑ Fiji: Dr Jiko Luveni is Speaker of Parliament for a second term . In: Pacific Women in Politics . November 26, 2018.
  14. ^ Aliki Bia: Over hundreds of people pay tribute to Dr Luveni . In: FBC News . December 29, 2018.
  15. ^ Ratu Epeli Nailatikau is a new speaker . In: parliament.gov.fj . 11th February 2019.
  16. ↑ Semi Turaga: Dr Jiko Luveni was also a national sports champion . In: fijivillage.com . December 27, 2018.
  17. ^ Nancy Gillen: FASANOC chief executive pays tribute to late member Dr Jiko Luveni . In: inside the games . December 25, 2018.
  18. ↑ Peni Drauna: Praise For Parliamentary Team Visit . In: Fiji Sun . July 18, 2015.
  19. ↑ Litia Cava: Luveni Inspires . In: Fiji Sun . July 25, 2015.
  20. ↑ Litia Cava: Dr Luveni Meets RKS Students . In: Fiji Sun . August 13, 2015.
  21. ↑ Speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Vanuatu, Hon. Marcellino Pipite visits the Speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Fiji, Dr. Jiko Luveni . In: parliament.gov.vu . 2015.
  22. ^ Marise Payne : Passing of Speaker of Parliament of Fiji . In: foreignminister.gov.au . 22nd December 2018.
  23. ↑ Madam Speaker Hon. Dr. Jiko Luveni met with the National Assembly Speaker of ROK . In: fijiembassy.co.kr . 3rd August 2016.
  24. ^ Speaker Meats With Indonesian Delegation . In: Fiji Sun . 20th November 2015.
  25. ↑ a b Arieta Vakasukawaqa and Litia Cava: Speaker Not Worried . In: Fiji Sun . February 10, 2016.
  26. ↑ Arieta Vakasukawaqa: Rubbish Label On Winston Relief Work Withdrawn . In: Fiji Sun . April 28, 2016.
  27. ↑ Arieta Vakasukawaqa: Speaker Cautions House On The Choice Of Words . In: Fiji Sun . 2nd June 2016.
  28. ^ Parliament Code Of Conduct Workshop Timely . In: Fiji Sun . May 11, 2016.
  29. ↑ a b Jiko Luveni: Opening remarks by the Speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Fiji, Hon. Dr. Jiko Luveni at the 29th session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly . In: acp.int . June 15, 2015.
  30. ↑ Filipe Naigulevu: Lack Of Political Will In Region: Speaker . In: Fiji Sun . 17th August 2016.
  31. ↑ Report on visit Luvenis in Indonesia . In: foreignaffairs.gov.fj . October 25, 2011.
  32. ↑ Nemani Delaibatiki: Empowering Women To Participate In Decision Making Process . In: Fiji Sun . 20th August 2016.
  33. ^ Ashna Kumar: Call To Give Women An Equal Break . In: Fiji Sun . June 22, 2018.
  34. ↑ Speaker Leads Parliament Distribution Team . In: Fiji Sun . March 7, 2016.
  35. ↑ Luveni, please get your facts straight . In: Fiji Women's Right Movement . May 14, 2014.
  36. ↑ Arieta Vakasukawaqa: Sometimes Women Aggravate It, Says Dr Luveni . In: Fiji Sun . May 18, 2016.
  37. ↑ Arieta Vakasukawaqa: Women's Groups Slam Luveni Comment . In: Fiji Sun . May 20, 2016.
  38. ↑ a b Fiji's speaker stands by domestic violence claim . In: Radio NZ . 19th May 2016.
  39. ↑ Arieta Vakasukawaqa: Dr Luveni Stands By Statement . In: Fiji Sun . 19th May 2016.
  40. ↑ a b Recall Jiko Luveni Speaker of Fiji Parliament . In: change.org . 2016.
  41. ↑ Ana Vuru: Public Accounts Committee meets today . In: mailife . November 28, 2014.
  42. ^ Fiji MP suspended for slur . In: Radio NZ . May 22, 2015.
  43. ^ Vijay Narayan and Ronal Deo: Ratu Naiqama suspended from Parliament for two years . In: fijivillage.com . May 22, 2015.
  44. ^ Fiji Speaker Suspended Rules Of Parliament To Suspend MPs . In: Pacific Islands Report . February 10, 2016.
  45. ↑ Jacquee Speight: Draunidalo suspended from Parliament . In: FBC News . 3rd June 2016.
  46. ^ Fiji MP's suspension disappoints rights groups . In: Radio NZ . June 6, 2016.
  47. ↑ Amnesty International Report 2016/17 Fiji . In: amnesty.de . 15th May 2017.
  48. ↑ Fiji MP Tikoca suspended until end of term . In: Radio NZ . 29th September 2016.
  49. ↑ Edwin Nand: Tikoca suspended from parliament . In: FBC News . 29th September 2016.
personal data
SURNAME Luveni, Jiko
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Luveni, Jiko Fatafehi ​​(full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Fijian politician
DATE OF BIRTH 1946
PLACE OF BIRTH Ono-i-Lau
DATE OF DEATH 22nd December 2018