femLINKpacific is a feminist media organization that seeks to amplify the voices of women and the marginalized. Over the years, the organization has held consultations or convenings at the district, divisional and national level, providing safe spaces for rural women, LGBTQI+ members, persons living with disabilities and other marginalized groups, to freely discuss their ideas, raise issues and even share their journeys as to how femLINKpacific has impacted their lives as individuals and as members of a community.
Below, femLINKpacific presents success stories of selected women – young women, women living with disability, rural women leader and a member of the LGBTQI+ community. They share their stories of change, stories of how their involvement and engagement with femLINKpacific has accelerated their actions in advocating for Gender equality in their various communities.
Accelerating Action for Women and Girls is Everyone’s Responsibility
Vaseva Rabo, Sports News Anchor – Fiji Broadcasting Corporation
Growing up in a rural village just on the outskirt of Nausori international airport is a blessing. While we are a small, close-knit community nestled on the outskirts of a larger urban area, my village is characterised by lush greenery, open fields, semi-traditional houses, a semi slower pace of life; yet a strong sense of community. We consider ourselves advantaged because we can easily access the amenities of the developing Nausori town.
As a child, I was very vocal when compared to children my age. I loved sharing my thoughts and ideas and would always volunteer for roles at church. I loved exploring, reading about issues and making my stand known on issues I am passionate about. This led to my participation at a Pageant at the Tebara carnival a couple of years ago, for which I was awarded the crown of Miss Tebara.
Last year, 2024, I was invited to a Youth media training, hosted by femLINK. The training was certainly an eye-opener for me. It was at the training that I learnt about gender and how I could support the advancement of work towards achieving gender equality in Fiji. Knowing my abilities and capabilities, I started wondering about how I could do this. I wanted to be an agent of change and accelerate action towards gender equality.
The opportunity came sooner than expected. I was shortlisted, interviewed and was quite surprised to have received the offer to be Sports News Anchor for Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC). While undergoing further training by FBC, preparing me for the role I was to fill, it finally dawned on me that this is who I want to be. I want to be an example to the young women and girls out there.
If I can do it, anyone else can. If there is a burning desire within us to accelerate action, especially for the recognition of gender equality for women and girls, then we must be passionate about it. One does not necessarily need to be an activist to be able to accelerate action. In whatever different fields and sectors we are in, we can accelerate action in our families, communities and even our work places. It is everyone’s responsibility.
To Accelerate Action is to Call for Inclusion and Transformative Change
Samuela Tuilevukana, Founder for Catalya Group – Rakiraki
In the eyes of society, I was a boy. Deep within me, I wasn’t sure. A greater part of me wanted to be what I had hoped I would be. Yet the pressure from my family and the society I grew up in, dictated gender, its roles and its responsibilities. I had considered societal living as one of the drawbacks to revealing my true identity as it truly conflicted my inner desire. This caused me a great deal of mental conflict glancing at my bleary future.
When I reached decision making age, I was more inclined to my own gender preference. Obviously, this did not augur well with the members of the patriarchal society I lived in. As a matter of fact, I was detested by many and the rejection seemed to have pushed me to the streets. I found comfort with my own kind. There was no discrimination, only acceptance and understanding.
A little enjoyment with my crew was short lived. Parenting responsibility chased after me, when my brother passed and sister-in-law passed on, living behind two innocent boys who were only one and three years old at the time. I was lost. I was desperate for support. My mind raced to the four corners of the earth, trying to settle to an imagination that was not at all there. I resorted to the only most valuable resource I possessed – my body. People called me all sorts of names. I bitterly swallowed the pill of shame, every time I took to the streets. It did not matter anymore. I had two precious lives depending on me for survival. With the little I earned, I supported our basic needs. We had to move from house to house, far too many times. I was disdained. My boys were being scorned while growing up. The struggle was real, the fight was tough, but the desire to live was greater.
I looked at my boys and sighed heavily. I could not continue in this path. My boys have now become men and I realised I needed to change. But I was caught in a web without the slightest idea of how to start a new journey. Just then, a friend of mine invited me to be a part of FemLINK’s district convening in one of the West districts. From the district convening, I proceeded to the Divisional. This was where I found the courage. This convening space was my safe space. I shared my story and no one in the room judged me for who I was. I thought I was unworthy and that my story need not be told or considered taboo in the patriarchal world. I almost confirmed my own belief that I was heading nowhere. The convening space gave me the confidence to speak about who I was and, built my self-worth and I regained my self-esteem.
Then it occurred to me. One of the cornerstones of this convening is inclusion. I was accepted as I was – without judgement. This was my motivation. I then brought together young people and formed the Catalya group (named after the Cataleya flower) – symbolic of love, beauty, strength and resilience. For change to happen, we need to drive our actions with love. We need to be inclusive, accepting and accommodative.
Together We Can Accelerate Action for Persons Living with Disabilities
Natasha, Nadi Representative – Persons Living with Disabilities
Encountering disability at a later stage in life was an unthinkable reality. It was something I never imagined. Happily married, with two sons, life was a buzz for our little family. Suddenly, a black cloud hung above our heads. I began having mobility issues. At first, just the thought of it stressed me out. I was literally depressed, knowing that I would need assistance with everything I do.
It seemed as if I was dragged backwards and downwards. Every dawn seemed dreadful, as I had not the slightest idea about what life was going to throw at me. First, my husband left us, and that was a transition I had silently hoped otherwise. It pained me to the bone. My physical condition was something to consider, but the painful void and added responsibility left by his absence was almost unacceptable.
It took me a while to ponder upon the events that had begun to unfold right in front of my eyes. Then the realisation hit me. I needed to be strong. This determination literally raised me from the pitiful state I was in, to becoming a powerful, self-reliant and self-sufficient single mother who looked beyond her disability. I told myself, that I would not use my disability to be a hindrance to my progress, rather, I would look at my abilities.
Giving consideration to what I was capable of, I explored options of income generating opportunities. We still needed to survive; my sons still needed to go to school and we needed to continue our lives as normal. I started making door mats, rugs and other things that I would sell. Just like all other businesses, there were good days and there were also bad days. Yet, this did not deter me from my determination and the will to survive.
I would like to encourage all persons living with disabilities here in Fiji. Let us not look at our disabilities but rather our abilities. Regardless of the type of disability you have, know that you have a purpose in this world and together we can accelerate action for recognition and appreciation of all persons living with disabilities. Together we can advocate for equality as nothing can be decided for us, without us.
Let us unite in our efforts to accelerate action. We equally need the support of all able bodies to understand our plight and support us in our drive for accelerated action. As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, I am certain that you will never consider leaving us behind – your brothers and sisters, and your children living with disabilities. We depend on collective efforts in this longing for accelerated action towards gender equality.
Be an Agent of Change – Accelerate Action to Achieve Gender Equality in Your Community
Miriama Novu, President – Soqosoqo Vakamarama, Navetau village, Cakaudrove
When appointed by the women in my village to be the President of the Women’s group or the Soqosoqo Vakamarama, I was hesitant at first. I saw it as a huge mountain, with great difficulty taking the first step. I was reluctant, thinking I did not possess any leadership qualities. Little did I realise, that it was God’s plan, preparing and moulding me for greater things in life.
Living in a rural village in Vanua Levu, I did not know any better but the normal, daily household chores and waiting to be dictated what to do by the men in the village. Navakuru still has a very traditional set-up where most of the developmental and almost all decisions are made by the men of the village. We would be quiet during village meetings and told to know our place, if we dared to speak up.
The patriarchal stronghold was still very much intact. In addition to being a shy person by nature, I was always very mindful about how we carried ourselves and how we planned our activities. We would always try our best to align what we did to the traditional protocols and requirements for the fear of being singled out as ‘viavia levu’(arrogant). I was always praying for an opportunity to advance development in our village. Our prayers were finally answered. Last year, 2024, with the help of a member of the group in the village, we managed to secure the Women’s Resilience to Disasters (WRD) funding that was sub-granted by femLINK, in partnership with UN Women. The funds were directed to the expansion and retrofitting of our Village Hall that we normally used as our Evacuation Centre during disasters. This was the breakthrough.
For those who have not visited Navakuru, it is located in rural Labasa, though it is part of the Cakaudrove province. You have to cross a river and get to the village. Every time it rains, our children do not go to school and the working members of the village cannot make it to work. There is also the risk that if a cyclone strikes, it would be difficult to get immediate help because of the river.
When we relayed the message during the bose va koro (village meeting), the men dropped their heads in silence, not knowing what to say. They merely uttered Vina’a, vina’a (thank you, thank you). For the first time ever, I had the opportunity to speak; and was heard. There was undeniably a silent desperation to scream for joy. We finally got the respect we had desired for so long.
There was immense support from the men in the community. They supported every phase of the project. There was a noticeable change of attitude. In village meetings after that, We were asked of our opinions and we were given the chance to voice our concerns. We felt valued and that our contribution mattered. We were suddenly an important faction with regards to decision making.
Although we exhausted the first lot funds that were granted to us, femLINK, in collaboration with UN Women were generous enough to provide additional support to ensure that the project was fully completed. The newly renovated EC has 2 additional rooms where women and girls can change and sleep during disasters. We are yet to receive the additional funds for instalment of solar lights to see the project completed. I would not have become the leader I am now without the trainings and awareness sessions conducted by femLINK. The convenings from the District level, right up to the national level have certainly instilled confidence and courage. I have been empowered, I have become bold, I have developed my public speaking skills. These traits I have also imparted to my group members and the change has been visible.
To my fellow women out there, I urge you to rise above the challenges. We are all agents of change in the various communities God has placed each of us in. We are there for a purpose and that is to accelerate action in the drive towards gender equality. Let us earn the trust and respect of our fellow men. Let us be beacons of hope and change the patriarchal norms into societal acceptance.
