Seven contestants will vie for the 2024 Miss Nasinu Carnival crown in the upcoming two weeks. One of the participants, Vinaina Marawa, is dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence in homes and communities. She plans to utilize the week-long carnival to highlight this critical issue.
Fiji faces alarmingly high rates of violence against women, with statistics indicating that two-thirds of women in the country experience physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner during their lifetime. Moreover, 60 percent of women endure challenging circumstances at home due to lack of support and abuse.
Ms. Marawa, who represents the Nasinu Town Council, has prior experience in beauty pageants. At just 18 years old, she took part in the Hibiscus Festival Teen category. She sees her involvement in events like the Nasinu Carnival as a chance to serve her community with dignity and respect. “It’s not about the clothes or looks, it’s about representing our community,” Ms. Marawa emphasized.
During the carnival, she aims to focus on advocacy and driving change at the national level, expressing her eagerness to use her voice for this important cause. Ms. Marawa believes that promoting change starts at home.
Reflecting on her own life as the eldest of eight siblings raised by a single mother, she recognizes the considerable responsibilities she had to juggle. Balancing household duties with her education proved to be a challenge, but the unwavering support from her mother made her journey fulfilling. This year, at the Nasinu Carnival, the young advocate from Kadavu plans to maximize the platform to advocate for change.