Jiko Luveni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jiko Luveni
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| 1st Speaker of the Parliament | |
| In office 6 October 2014 – 22 December 2018 |
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| Prime Minister | Frank Bainimarama |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Epeli Nailatikau |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1946 |
| Died | 22 December 2018 (aged 71–72) |
| Political party | FijiFirst |
| Spouse | Inoke Luveni |
| Education | Adi Cakobau School |
| Alma mater | Fiji School of Medicine |
Jiko Fatafehi Luveni was an important politician from Fiji. She was born around 1946 and passed away on December 22, 2018. She made history as the first woman to become the Speaker of the Parliament in Fiji.
Before becoming Speaker, Jiko Luveni was a member of the FijiFirst political party. However, when she took on the role of Speaker, she had to leave her party. This is because the Speaker in Fiji cannot be a Member of Parliament or belong to a political party.
Early Life and Career
Jiko Luveni grew up in the village of Nukuni on the island of Ono-i-Lau. Her father was a shopkeeper who later became a shipping business owner.
She went to school at Lautoka Fijian School and Nabua Secondary School. Later, she attended Adi Cakobau School in Sawani. In 1967, she graduated from the Fiji School of Medicine as a dentist. She was the very first Fijian woman to become a dentist!
Jiko Luveni worked for the Ministry of Health for 20 years. After that, she joined the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). There, she managed projects related to reproductive health from 1987 to 2002. She also worked on HIV projects for the Ministry of Health and for a non-governmental organization called Fiji Network for People Living with HIV.
From 2007 to 2008, she was part of the board for the Fiji Sports Council.
Political Journey
In January 2008, Jiko Luveni started her political career. She was appointed as the Minister of Health. Later, she became the Minister of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation. These roles were in the temporary government led by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.
She also helped lead a government team. This team worked on ideas for "social cultural identity and nation building." These ideas were for a plan called the People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress.
In 2013, Jiko Luveni announced she would join Bainimarama's new political party. In April 2014, she was chosen as the Chairperson of the Lau Provincial Council. However, she resigned from this role just three months later. This was because she was announced as a candidate for the FijiFirst party in the upcoming parliamentary election.
In the 2014 election, she received 2,296 votes. She was elected to parliament as one of the top candidates for the FijiFirst party.
Becoming Speaker of Parliament
Right after the election, Jiko Luveni resigned from her seat as a Member of Parliament. She did this to become the Speaker of Parliament. This was a very important moment because she was the first Fijian woman to hold this high position. Another person, Laisenia Tuitubou, took her place as an MP. Jiko Luveni was officially elected as Speaker on October 6, 2014.
Passing Away
Jiko Luveni passed away on December 22, 2018, at the age of 72.
