Systemic Change, Not Quotas, Key to Women’s Representation in Parliament: Riddhi Damodar

Prominent advocate for women in leadership, Ms. Riddhi Damodar, has voiced her perspective on the ongoing debate around the 30% quota for women in Fiji’s Parliament, calling instead for systemic change to empower women to rise on their own merit.

Ms. Damodar, who has long championed the inclusion of women in decision-making roles, emphasised that while she is eager to see more capable, confident women in Parliament, she does not believe guaranteed quotas or handouts are the solution.

“Real progress means building systems that empower women to rise on their own merit—and win because they’re the best for the job,” she stated.

Despite women making up nearly half of Fiji’s population and voter base, female representation in Parliament remains disproportionately low. Ms. Damodar urged the public and political leaders alike to consider the deeper structural factors contributing to this imbalance.

“Are women not putting themselves forward—or are political parties not selecting them? Is the political culture discouraging women from contesting? These are structural issues we must address before we fall back on quotas as a fix-all,” she argued.

Ms. Damodar also challenged voters to reflect on their choices at the ballot box, posing a critical question: “In past elections, did you vote for a woman candidate? Or did you choose a male candidate instead? Why?”

She stressed the importance of understanding the underlying reasons why voters, including women, may hesitate to support female candidates, whether due to lack of trust, visibility, or ingrained societal attitudes.

“This isn’t about blame—it’s about introspection,” she explained. “If we want more women in Parliament, it’s not just about how many women stand—it’s about how many of us, especially women, are willing to vote for them.”

Ms. Damodar believes women are fully capable of leading strong, successful campaigns without the need for allocated quotas. However, she called for improved support structures, safer campaigning environments, and a political culture that genuinely respects and values women’s candidacy.

“Let’s fix the system—not force the outcome,” she urged. “And let’s back women—not just in talk, but in the ballot box.”