Salanieta Qalo, a 23-year-old student from the University of the South Pacific, is participating in the 69th Hibiscus Festival with a mission that goes beyond the traditional beauty pageant. Representing her community in Naivucini, Naitasiri, Qalo is among ten contenders vying for the coveted crown. Beyond the competition, she sees this event as a crucial platform to raise awareness about women’s health issues, a cause she deeply resonates with due to her own medical journey.
Having faced severe abdominal pain for years without a proper diagnosis, Qalo’s medical challenges were finally explained in 2023 when doctors identified an ovarian cyst that necessitated surgery. Now, with a personal understanding of the complications arising from undiagnosed health conditions, she advocates for young women to recognize and act upon early signs of reproductive health issues. She encourages them to overcome the stigma sometimes associated with these discussions and to seek necessary medical guidance.
Qalo brings valuable experience to this stage, having previously participated and garnered accolades in pageants such as Miss Universe Fiji and the Miss Nausori pageant. Her preparation for the Hibiscus Festival, though brief, has been intensive, involving reading, listening to related podcasts, and practicing interviews. Her academic pursuits include a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics.
The Hibiscus Festival offers a significant opportunity for Qalo to not only highlight women’s health concerns but also promote resilience and empowerment among young women—a message echoed by similar events she has engaged with in the past, like the Vodafone Nasinu Festival. Her participation signifies a broader commitment to tackle health issues and spearhead community initiatives.
As the festival commences, Qalo embodies not just the spirit of competition but a dedication to impactful advocacy, armed with personal testimony and a readiness to inspire change. Her journey underscores the importance of platforms such as the Hibiscus Festival in effecting personal and community-level transformation, blending cultural celebration with social responsibility.
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