“We leave in a patrilineal society where male take up the positions in a family setting, the tokatoka (sub-clan), mataqali (clan) and yavusa (district),” Ro Teimumu said.
From left: Gone Marama Bale Na Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Maori King, His Majesty Te Arikinui Tuheitia Paki during the GCC meeting at the Lagoon Resort at Pacific Harbour, Deuba,
on February 28, 2024. Photo: Leon Lord
The lack of women representation in the Great Council of Chiefs is just the nature of the sacred body.
This was the statement made by the Gone Marama Bale Na Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa yesterday.
Ro Teimumu said representation in the Great Council of Chiefs would always be dominated by men who were generally born into chiefly positions.
Only three women were represented in the GCC yesterday which included Ro Teimumu, Adi Finau Tabakaucoro as president of the Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei and Bulou Suluweti Naikelekelevesi of the Kadavu Province.
The GCC Review Committee had recommended that one seat, out of the three given to the 14 provinces, be for a woman representative.
Gone Marama Bale Na Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa.
“We leave in a patrilineal society where male take up the positions in a family setting, the tokatoka (sub-clan), mataqali (clan) and yavusa (district),” Ro Teimumu said.
Ro Teimumu said it was the same before as it was now, hence the GCC make-up.
She added that her elder sister, the Lady Lala Mara, and her were privileged to be born into the positions of the title Roko Tui Dreketi.
“So, in terms of the Great Council of Chiefs, that is what it is today, which is just the nature of the sacred body,” she said.
When asked about the recommendation by the GCC, Ro Teimumu said: “With a lot of prayers, the change will come.”
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