Seven contestants are set to vie for the title of Miss Nasinu Carnival 2024 in the upcoming fortnight. Among the contestants is Vinaina Marawa, who is dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence in homes and communities.
Marawa intends to utilize the week-long carnival as a platform to address this crucial issue. Fiji is grappling with alarmingly high rates of violence against women, with statistics indicating that two-thirds of women experience physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner at some point in their lives. Furthermore, 60 percent of women encounter distressing situations at home due to a lack of support and abuse.
Representing the Nasinu Town Council, Marawa has experience in beauty pageants, having participated in the Hibiscus Festival Teen category at just 18 years old. She sees her involvement in events like the Nasinu Carnival as an opportunity to serve her community with dignity and respect.
“It’s not about the clothes or looks; it’s about representing our community,” Marawa expressed. She plans to focus her advocacy efforts on driving national change and is enthusiastic about using her voice for this important cause.
Marawa believes that meaningful change starts at home. Reflecting on her background as the eldest of eight siblings raised by a single mother, she recognizes the substantial responsibilities she had to shoulder. Balancing household chores with her education was challenging, but her mother’s steadfast support made the journey rewarding.
At this year’s Nasinu Carnival, the young woman from Kadavu is committed to leveraging her platform to advocate for vital change.