Women can be equally capable as chief executive officers in the corporate world, just as they are in their households, according to a leadership expert from the Asia Development Bank. Sarah Boxall recently led a four-day program in Suva aimed at senior executive women aspiring to work in the corporate sector.
The training session, organized by the Fiji Institute of Chartered Accountants, helped women build confidence, expand their business skill sets, and establish networks with other senior women in the private sector. Ms. Boxall, an expert in women’s economic empowerment at the Asia Development Bank’s Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative, guided the program.
Wiliki Takiveikata, president of the institute, said the training enhanced the participants’ ability to succeed in the workplace. He noted that the pioneering participants now had practical tools to strategically advance their careers. “We hope they draw strength from the networks they establish through the program and find motivation in the stories shared by our guest speakers on career transitions and effective board activities,” Takiveikata said.
The four-day training was conducted by Gina Houng-Lee and academic Nacaniela Rika, with participation capped at 25 women from 15 different organizations.
Ms. Boxall pointed out that Fiji lags behind neighboring island countries in female leadership roles at the corporate level. This lag hinders the country from reaching its full economic potential. “This program is designed to elevate women to senior executive roles,” she said. She identified challenges such as organizational policies, workplace sexual harassment, and issues at the legislation and policy level that prevent women from remaining in their jobs.