Through femLINKpacific’s women candidates training, three women from different backgrounds are discovering that political leadership is within their reach. From a woman living with disability in Nadroga to a retired teacher from Taveuni and a young climate activist, their journeys reflect the power of opportunity, knowledge, and confidence in advancing women’s political participation in Fiji.

For many women, the decision to enter politics begins long before registering with a political party. It starts with the realization that their experiences, ideas, and voices deserve a place in the decisions shaping their communities and country.

For Kasanita Nadruku, Reshmi Sidal, and AnneMary Raduva, femLINKpacific’s political parties women candidates training provided an opportunity to explore that possibility.

Their stories demonstrate how political education and encouragement can help women move beyond supporting political change to becoming potential leaders themselves.

Kasanita Nadruku: Breaking barriers beyond the rugby field

For Kasanita Nadruku of Nadroga, becoming a political candidate was never something she had imagined. As a woman living with disability, she brings valuable lived experience to conversations about inclusion and equal participation. She also wants to see greater recognition of women in sports, particularly rugby, and the issues affecting women with disabilities. After attending several training sessions with femLINKpacific, Kasanita began to see political leadership as a possibility. The training encouraged her to consider how she could contribute to decision-making and advocate for the communities and issues important to her. Motivated by the experience, she registered with a political party to contest the upcoming elections. Her journey highlights the importance of ensuring that women with disabilities are not merely included in discussions but have opportunities to influence policies and decisions. It also demonstrates that women’s lived experiences can be a strength in public leadership. Kasanita’s decision marks a significant personal step from never having imagined herself as a candidate to taking practical steps towards political participation.

Reshmi Sidal: From the sidelines to the political arena

Reshmi Sidal, a retired teacher from Taveuni, once saw her role in politics as supporting a political party from the sidelines rather than becoming a candidate herself. Her willingness to travel all the way from Taveuni to Nadi to attend femLINKpacific’s training reflected her commitment to learning more about political participation. The training gave Reshmi an opportunity to explore the possibilities of leadership and consider how her professional experience and community knowledge could contribute to public decision-making. Following the training, she was inspired to consider becoming a candidate for the upcoming elections. Reshmi’s experience illustrates that political leadership can emerge at different stages of life. Women do not need to have spent years pursuing a political career to recognize their potential to contribute. By stepping beyond the role she had previously imagined for herself, Reshmi demonstrates how learning and encouragement can open new pathways for women’s leadership.

AnneMary Raduva

For young climate activist AnneMary Raduva, the desire to become a political candidate was already taking shape. femLINKpacific’s training helped strengthen her ambition and build her confidence to pursue it. AnneMary has registered with the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) and is the party’s youngest candidate. As a young climate activist, she brings a perspective shaped by concerns about the future facing Fiji and the wider Pacific. Climate change affects livelihoods, homes, food and water security, and the opportunities available to future generations. Yet young people, particularly young women, can face barriers when seeking to move from activism into formal political leadership. For AnneMary, the training helped reinforce her belief that she could take that step. She said it gave her the confidence to represent young people at the highest level of decision-making. Her journey highlights the importance of creating opportunities for young women to participate in politics and contribute directly to decisions that will shape their future.

Building Pathways to Women’s Political Leadership

Kasanita, Reshmi, and AnneMary have different reasons for entering politics, but their experiences share a common thread: the importance of creating opportunities for women to recognize and develop their leadership potential. femLINKpacific’s Political Leadership Women Candidates Training supports women to explore political participation, strengthen their understanding of leadership, and prepare for the challenges of entering electoral politics. For women with disabilities, young women, and those from rural and maritime communities, access to such opportunities can be especially important. Barriers related to accessibility, distance, resources, and limited networks can make political participation more difficult. As Fiji prepares for the upcoming elections, these three women’s journeys raise an important question: how can the country ensure that women from diverse backgrounds have a genuine opportunity to shape decisions affecting their lives and communities? From Kasanita’s commitment to inclusion to Reshmi’s willingness to step beyond the sidelines and AnneMary’s determination to represent young people, their experiences show that political leadership can begin with a single opportunity. Women should not have to wait for someone else to decide they are ready to lead. With access to knowledge, support, and meaningful opportunities, they can take their place in shaping Fiji’s future.