A somewhat controversial traditional ban on women drinking kava in the Vanua of Qoibau has sparked a wider national conversation, not only about gender equality and cultural authority, but about the deeper social strains facing families in Fiji.
Paul Morrell, founder of the Men Empowerment Network (MEN), explained that the debate has exposed what he believes is the real issue, which is a weakening...
The strongest version of this narrative frames the kava ban as a symptom of broader societal challenges—weakening family structures, poor communication, and the tension between tradition and modernity. Paul Morrell’s argument that the debate has been hijacked by political and ideological interests, rather than addressed through direct consultation with traditional leaders, is compelling. It highlights a legitimate concern about how sensitive cultural issues are amplified in the public sphere, of...