Approximately 200 women from across Fiji convened at the Grand Pacific Hotel for the Women Invigorating the Nation 2025 (WIN 2025) convention, a platform dedicated to boosting women’s empowerment and advocating for gender equality. The event, themed “Championing Inclusivity and Blazing New Trails for the Future,” was officiated by Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, who praised the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) for creating supportive spaces for women.
During her remarks, Minister Kiran brought attention to the challenges many women face, particularly regarding loneliness in their personal growth journeys due to trust issues and societal norms. She emphasized the importance of creating networks where women can help lift each other up, despite individual weaknesses.
Highlighting alarming statistics, Kiran stated that one in three women in Fiji experiences domestic violence and often feels isolated in their struggles. She urged the community to establish support groups for victims of domestic violence, mentorship for young leaders, and connect rural women to such empowering environments as the WIN convention. Kiran noted the stark underrepresentation of women in leadership, mentioning that only nine percent occupy parliamentary positions and 35 percent serve on boards.
Her remarks resonated with similar prior discussions emphasizing mentorship and support networks as essential tools for empowering women. The ongoing efforts to bridge the representation gap in leadership roles reflect a growing commitment to gender equity within the Fijian context.
The convention also featured influential speakers and sessions designed to provide networking opportunities, advocating for changes in policies that could enhance women’s participation in leadership and economic development. The approach of encouraging small, actionable steps within local communities was highlighted as a way to spark larger societal transformations.
Women like Amelia Rokotuivuna, who paved the way for future generations, were acknowledged, illustrating the positive momentum and knowledge sharing within this growing community. The WIN 2025 convention represents hope and determination for creating an inclusive society where women’s contributions are recognized and valued, paving the way for continued advocacy for women’s rights and empowerment in Fiji.
Overall, the WIN convention symbolizes a collective effort towards advancing gender equality, nurturing future leaders, and crafting a supportive network that can uplift every woman in Fiji.
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