Aspiring Women Politicians Dive Deep Into Politics, Governance, And The Economy

The Promoting Empowered and Accountable Representation of Women Leaders (PEARL) Leadership training has completed its first two days, delivering intensive sessions on political engagement, local governance, national economics, and online safety to aspiring women leaders from across Fiji.

The week-long workshop, jointly organized by the Fiji Council of Social Services and Balance of Power, is bringing together community leaders involved in municipal and humanitarian work, alongside aspiring women politicians.

Day One: Call to Leadership and Local Governance

The training commenced with a powerful call for greater female representation in community and national leadership.

• Highlighting the Role of Women: The Permanent Secretary of Women, Children and Social Protection, Eseta Nadakuitavuki, officially opened the workshop, stressing the critical need for women to embrace leadership. “We need women to step up to take up the mantel of leadership in our communities and nation,” she stated.

• Women as Change Makers: Commissioner Central, Jovesa Navuku, shared his view of women as key drivers of change, noting, “I view women as the change makers in the nation; women know the heart beat of the community, can empathise and feel what’s going on and will advocate.”

• Focus on Local Governance: Talei Rokotuibau, Special Administrator for Nausori Town Council, provided practical insights into local governance and service delivery, urging participants to “know their constituents, know the issues they face and know the municipalities around them.”

• Panel of Women Candidates: The day concluded with a candid panel discussion featuring women who have previously contested elections.

o Priscilla Singh (NFP) shared her journey from a trade union background, urging the women “to not be afraid and to step up.”

o Adi Sivia Qoro (Unity Fiji) called on participants to “keep speaking about the issues of the vanua and to advocate for landowners.”

o Tanya Waqanika (SODELPA) addressed the financial realities of running for office. But issued a personal challenge: “If the women knew they were being called to stand, than they were to do it for themselves, their children and to speak truth at all times.”

Day Two: Focus on Economy, Parliament, and Online Safety

The second day featured vital discussions designed to equip participants with the technical knowledge required for political life.

Key Discussions and Speakers

• Understanding Fiji's Economy: Poonam Singh, Acting Head of the Strategic Planning Office (SPO) and National Development, addressed the participants on the current state of the country’s economy, emphasizing the critical importance of understanding finance and economics for political aspirants.

• Parliamentary Processes: Jeanette Emberson, Secretary General for Parliament, provided an in-depth session on the workings of Parliament, covering requirements for being an MP, committee structures, and the diversity of political parties.

• Women's Role in Elections: The Fiji Elections Office delivered a presentation focusing on the impact of women in civic spaces, electoral processes, and pre-election work, helping participants understand the voting system and associated procedures.

• Online Safety: Filipe Batiwale, the Online Safety Commissioner, spoke about the new laws designed to hold individuals accountable for online abuse, defamation, and scams, highlighting how the new regulations can address the dangers of online attacks.

Political Dialogue/Talanoa

The second day concluded with an insightful Talanoa session involving representatives from three political parties, generating healthy and inspiring conversations on their manifestos and hopes for the next election.

• Simi Rasova represented SODELPA.

• Vimal Singh represented the National Federation Party (NFP).

• Eliki Lisione spoke on behalf of Unity Fiji.

Questions from the floor focused on the parties' female quotas and representation, as well as their main areas of priority.

The PEARL Leadership training continues today with sessions focused on public speaking, etiquettes, voter centred campaigns and handling the media.

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