Theresa Waqanibau, a representative from the Lautoka Women’s Forum, asserted that women can effectively support their families if given more empowerment. She made these remarks during her participation in the inaugural ministerial forum on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, held at the Harbour Point Convention Centre in Lami.
Waqanibau expressed her intention to share insights from the forum with women in Lautoka, highlighting the alarming rise in gender-based violence affecting both women and children. She emphasized the prevailing mindset of male dominance within families and the urgent need for change to promote gender equality and demonstrate that women are also capable of providing for their households.
She aims to utilize the knowledge gained from this one-day conference to support members of the Lautoka Women’s Forum. Waqanibau noted that many women in the Western Division often perceive themselves as unable to generate income due to their socio-economic status, but she believes this forum could inspire significant transformation for them.
Patrick Morgan, the chief executive officer of Empower Pacific Fiji, shared similar views, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to attend the forum. He praised the agenda’s thematic areas as pertinent and reiterated full support for the ministry’s selected pillars for discussion. Morgan concluded by expressing hope that the forum would reinforce the government’s collaboration with civil society organizations to enhance safety and equality for women and girls in Fiji, ensuring their rights and responsibilities are respected by employers.