This project profile page contains information about The Republic of Fiji Military Forces project including project results, impact, and effective practices. This page will be updated annually in line with EIF project reporting requirements.
Data source: United Nations Peace Security Data Hub, a free public library of datasets on peace and security published by the United Nations
| T/PCC | Updates | |||||||||
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||
| Total | % | Total | % | Total | % | Total | % | Total | % | |
| Fiji | 38 | 11.14% | 38 | 11.38 | 48 | 14.05% | 41 | 12.50% | 31 | 12.44% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experts on Mission | 0 | / | 1 | 17.65% | 0 | / | 0 | / | 0 | / |
| Individual Police | 16 | 57.02% | 8 | 41.52% | 5 | 29.28% | 6 | 33.33% | 6 | 40.00% |
| Staff Officer | 0 | / | 2 | 15.50% | 0 | / | 0 | / | 1 | 14.08% |
| Troops | 21 | 7.20% | 28 | 9.29% | 42 | 13.62% | 35 | 11.83% | 24 | 10.65% |
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) is the officially recognized armed force of Fiji under the 2013 Constitution. With a total strength of 3,229 personnel, the ground force is organised into six infantry battalions and one engineering battalion. Despite its relatively small size, the RFMF is a formidable security institution and a key member of regional security and coordination frameworks in the South Pacific. The RFMF operates under the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs with the President of the Republic serving as its Commander-in-Chief.
The RFMF has been contributing to United Nations Peace Operations since 1978, beginning with deployments to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Subsequent deployments and rotations have included observer missions in Africa, to the Multinational Force and Observers in Sinai Peninsula (MFO) – ongoing, United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), and United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), where personnel have served as troops, military observers, and staff officers.
The RFMF recognises that the meaningful participation of women across all ranks and roles both within the institution and in peace operations, is essential to enhancing its contribution to international peace and security. The RFMF is committed to non-discrimination and gender equality in all spheres of life, as enshrined in the 2013 Constitution of Fiji, and in accordance with the National Gender Policy, which underscores Fiji’s commitment to “implement gender mainstreaming and promote the leadership of women and young women in conflict prevention and management, political decision-making, peacebuilding, and peacekeeping.” Additionally, Fiji has reaffirmed these commitments through its support of the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy and the Revitalised Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration.
The RFMF recognises that it currently lacks a comprehensive strategy for fostering an inclusive security institution and promoting women’s participation at all levels of the defence force and in United Nations peace operations. To address this gap, the RFMF has decided to undertake a Measuring Opportunities for Women in Peace Operations (MOWIP) Barrier Assessment. This initiative aims to strengthen efforts to advance the leadership and meaningful participation of uniformed women within the institution and in peacekeeping deployments.
In completing the MOWIP Barrier Assessment, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) aims to:
1. Deepen institutional understanding of the practical, cultural, and structural barriers and enablers affecting women’s representation, retention, and leadership within the RFMF and in their deployment to the UN peace operations
2. Implement evidence-informed actions to dismantle identified barriers to uniformed women’s role and leadership as well as leverage opportunities in pursuit of an inclusive, gender-responsive security institution that actively promotes peace and security at the national, regional, and global levels
Grounded in the evidence-based recommendations emerging from the MOWIP Barrier Assessment’s findings, the RFMF seeks to develop a Strategic Roadmap for institutional equity, aimed at advancing gender-responsive reforms, strengthening leadership pathways for uniformed women, and ensuring inclusivity across all levels of the institution and its participation in UN peace operations.
US$257,573
US$257,573
The Republic of Fiji Armed Forces
Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration – Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs
Ethos CRS
13 months
06 May 2025
21 May 2025
20 June 2026
nil
13 months
This project aims to enhance the RFMF’s understanding of the factors that hinder or enable the participation and leadership of uniformed women within the institution and in United Nations peace operations. Drawing on the evidence and insights generated through the MOWIP Barrier Assessment, the RFMF will develop a Strategic Roadmap to address identified barriers and capitalize on opportunities to strengthen and advance the role, leadership, and meaningful participation of uniformed women in the defence force and in peacekeeping deployments.
Fiji Launches Gender Barrier Study, Fiji Sun, 03 June 2025
Fiji launches gender barrier assessment for peacekeeping, FBC news, 02 June 2025
Efforts to identify barriers on women participating in peacekeeping operations, The Fiji Times, 03 June 2025
Facebook:
MOWIP Gender Barrier Assessment Survey Underway, 29 June 2025
RFMF Launches First Gender Focal Point Course to overcome barriers, 09 July 2025
The Government of the Republic of Fiji has commenced the development of its 1st NAP in 2024 – with a plan to be publish in 2026.
