The Women Entrepreneurs Business Council (WEBC) chair, Vera Chute, addressed the persistent gender gap in senior leadership roles during her opening speech at the WIN 2025 Convention in Suva, Fiji. The convention gathered about 200 delegates focused on promoting women’s empowerment in business. Chute highlighted the council’s achievements and emphasized the ongoing relevance of the gender gap issue, advocating for increased representation of women in decision-making roles.
Chute shared insights from a scoping study conducted with the Asian Development Bank, which laid the groundwork for two forthcoming programs aimed at enhancing leadership opportunities for women: the Leadership and Board Readiness Programme and a Regional Network of Women entrepreneurial organizations. These initiatives will facilitate knowledge sharing and economic collaboration, exemplified by partnerships such as the one enabling Samoa to supply virgin coconut oil to Bodyshop.
A survey conducted by WEBC with the support of the International Labour Organisation revealed valuable insights into the barriers faced by women in the workplace. The survey indicated that while companies engage in promoting diversity and inclusion, a significant portion of respondents—62 percent—expressed concerns over inadequate support for women during maternity leave, parental responsibilities, and career breaks.
The survey also pointed out that 83 percent of respondents believed that a lack of flexible work solutions and prevalent masculine corporate cultures hindered women’s advancement, further highlighting the need for targeted strategies to support skilled women in the workforce.
Building on the outcomes from the convention, Chute insisted that diversity, equity, and inclusion targets should become integral parts of corporate strategies and annual reporting protocols.
The previous WIN conventions laid a positive foundation by showcasing the growth of women transitioning from informal to formal business. This year’s discussions build on past successes by promoting various initiatives aimed at bridging the entrepreneurial gap for women, particularly in rural areas, pointing to a hopeful trend for women’s engagement in the corporate sector.
The WEBC is part of the broader efforts by the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation to achieve gender equity, reinforcing the importance of women’s contributions to economic development and community growth. The dedication to improving women’s representation at all levels serves as an encouraging signal for more inclusive and equitable future opportunities.
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