Women gain tremendous benefits when they are equipped with economic resources and a supportive infrastructure, according to Sashi Kiran, the Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection. Speaking at a recent panel discussion on Leadership and Gender Equity for Women’s Leadership in the Pacific at the University of the South Pacific (USP), she emphasized that this is essential for sustainable development.
Kiran stated, “When leadership is inclusive, and when women’s voices shape the future, we build together.” She explained how her ministry’s approach—through initiatives like Gender-Responsive Planning and Budgeting (GRPB) and the Fiji Country Gender Assessment—ensures women’s leadership is integrated into the system rather than relying on chance.
She highlighted the importance of tracking, budgeting, and measuring leadership initiatives to ensure sustainability. Kiran’s strategy aims to combine capacity building, institutional reform, and cross-sector partnerships to address systemic barriers. “The goal is not only to empower individual women but to make the system itself more gender-responsive and inclusive,” she noted.
By fostering a mindset of leadership rather than simply bestowing titles, the culture can evolve to recognize women’s leadership across all sectors. “This transformation is what Fiji and the Pacific need for a truly sustainable and equitable future,” she asserted.
Kiran expressed gratitude to USP and other partners for their vital research contributions to women’s leadership. She concluded by reinforcing that Fiji’s journey illustrates that leadership is not a singular path but a network of opportunities accessible to all. Every act of leadership, whether through education, economic empowerment, technical training, or community service, contributes to collective progress. Ultimately, she affirmed, “When women lead, systems strengthen, and societies endure.”
By supporting women’s leadership and actively integrating it into every facet of society, communities can indeed foster a more equitable future.
Leave a comment