Women can transition from being leaders in their households to taking on executive roles in the corporate world, according to a leadership expert from the Asia Development Bank. Sarah Boxall led a four-day program in Suva aimed at senior executive women who aspire to work in the corporate sector.
The event, organized by the Fiji Institute of Chartered Accountants, focused on helping women build confidence, expand their skill sets, understand business operations, and establish networks with other senior women in the private sector. Boxall, an expert in the economic empowerment of women at the Asia Development Bank’s Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative, emphasized the importance of such training.
Wiliki Takiveikata, the institute’s president, said the training enhanced participants’ capabilities to succeed in their workplaces. He noted that the pioneers of this training now possess practical tools to advance their careers strategically.
“We hope they draw strength from the network they will establish through the program and be inspired by the stories shared by guest speakers on career transitions, effective board participation, and other key topics,” Takiveikata commented.
The four-day training was conducted by Gina Houng-Lee and academic Nacaniela Rika, and included 25 women from 15 different organizations.
Boxall pointed out that Fiji trails behind other neighboring island countries in female leadership roles at the corporate level, which has hindered the country’s economic potential. She asserted that the program is designed to help women ascend to senior executive roles. However, she acknowledged challenges such as organizational policies and workplace sexual harassment, which prevent women from retaining jobs, along with issues at the legislative and policy levels.