Monitoring compliance by the State with obligations under treaties and conventions relating to human rights The Commission welcomed the amendments made in relation to the modification to the procedures set out in section 57 of the Electoral Act pertaining to voting by persons with disabilities. This would assist persons with disabilities in exercising their right to political participation. Alternative Report - Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women ( CEDAW) Report The Commission submitted an alternative report on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in Fiji, to the CEDAW Committee, whose fifth periodic report is scheduled for consideration at the sixty-ninth session of the Committee to be held at the United Nations Office in Geneva in February 2018. It must be noted that the report was compiled and submitted by the Commission for the first time in the last ten years. The Report outlines the mandate and work of the Commission an appraisal of the State efforts in implementing the Convention including issues raised by the UN CEDAW Committee and offers recommendations that will bring about greater parity and uphold principles of non-discrimination. Outreach Initiatives The Commission reached out to 19,971 Fijians in 2018 through its engagement with diverse groups. A total of 38 schools and 91 villages and communities including informal settlements were visited, engaging people from all walks of life who received human rights training on a range of issues such as rights of children, right to education, right to health, freedom of speech, rights of arrested and detained persons, freedom from cruel and degrading treatment, domestic violence, sexual abuse, political right and environmental rights. National Consultation on LGBTQI Rights A two-day National Consultation on LGBTQI rights and challenges was held on 26-27 July 2018 in collaboration with Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions. A total of 68 participants representing diverse groups from participated in the national consultation from across the country including remote and maritime areas. The event was historic as it was the first such gathering organised by the Commission since its inception in 1999. The sessions were focused on the salient features of the Bill of Rights enshrined in chapter 2 of the Fijian Constitution and in particular, section 26 - right to equality and freedom from discrimination, which prescribes the prohibited grounds for discrimination. FIJI HUMAN RIGHTS & ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMISSION 2018 IN REVIEW ANNUAL REPORT 2018 23