The She Leads Training, implemented by femLINKpacific, in partnership with International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), was successfully delivered across 11 centres—Lautoka, Labasa, Rakiraki, Nadi, Suva, Nausori, Levuka, Savusavu, Sigatoka, Ba, and Nasinu, for women in the thirteen municipalities, which included Lami and Tavua, as well as women leaders around the country, from August 2025 to April 2026.
The series of training brought together more than 250 women from diverse backgrounds to strengthen their leadership capacity and participation in decision-making. The training created inclusive and supportive learning spaces where participants could reflect on their experiences, build confidence, and engage with key concepts of leadership, gender equality, and civic participation. Across all locations, the programme emphasized accessibility and representation, ensuring that women from rural, peri-urban, and urban communities could actively participate. Through a combination of interactive workshops, group discussions, and practical exercises, participants developed core skills in communication, advocacy, and inclusive leadership.
The training challenged traditional perceptions of leadership by shifting the focus from authority and titles to influence, collaboration, and community impact. Participants explored topics such as selfawareness, confidence building, gender barriers, and strategies for engaging in community and political processes.
Many reported increased confidence in expressing their views, contributing to decision-making spaces, and supporting other women to step into leadership roles. One such powerful, yet humble woman is Ravina Lata who shares her story below.
Growing Leadership from the Ground Up: Ravina Lata’s Journey Through IFES She Leads Training Programme
At 46, Ravina Lata is redefining leadership—not through titles or positions, but through impact rooted in family, community, and the land she cultivates. A farmer from Dawasamu, Tailevu, Ravina’s journey through the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) She Leads Programme has transformed not only how she sees herself as a leader, but also how she nurtures leadership within her home, her farm, and her wider community. Through the programme, she has strengthened her voice, deepened her understanding of inclusive leadership, and embraced new ways to influence change.
Rooted in Purpose
Ravina joined the IFES She Leads Programme driven by a desire to grow as a leader and support women’s participation in decision-making. What drew her in was not just the opportunity to learn, but the programme’s emphasis on women’s leadership and inclusion.
“The words She Leads were strong enough,” she says. “I wanted to learn more and help women take part in decision-making in our communities.”
A Transformative Learning Experience
Through IFES She Leads, Ravina gained more than knowledge—she gained confidence, practical tools, and a deeper understanding of leadership grounded in inclusion and empowerment.
“It was on another level,” she reflects. “The learning, the environment, and the encouragement exceeded anything I had imagined.”
Redefining Leadership Through Inclusion
Before joining IFES She Leads, Ravina saw leadership largely as holding authority. The training shifted that perspective significantly.
“Now I understand that leadership is about empowering others, creating inclusive spaces, and influencing systems at multiple levels,” she says. “It’s not about personal success alone; it’s about community transformation and ensuring diverse voices are heard.”
Applying Learning in Everyday Leadership
Ravina did not leave her learning in the training room. She applied the lessons directly to her farming practices and household decision-making. Inspired by a longer-term vision, she shifted from relying heavily on short-term cash crops to building a more sustainable and organic farming model, including avocado, coconut, pearl guava, dragon fruit, and kumquat.
Finding Her Voice
One of the most powerful changes Ravina attributes to IFES She Leads is finding the confidence to speak up. As an Indo-Fijian woman, she often felt hesitant to share her ideas in professional and community spaces.
“Before She Leads, I hesitated to put my ideas on the table,” she says. “Now, I communicate with confidence and advocate effectively.”
Creating Space for Others
A defining lesson from IFES She Leads for Ravina has been that leadership is not only about personal growth, but about enabling others to lead. Since completing the programme, she has actively supported and encouraged other women to recognize their strengths, build confidence, and participate in decision-making.
“True leadership is not just about guiding others,” she says, “but about creating spaces where everyone has the opportunity to contribute.”
A Legacy of Impact
For Ravina, the lasting impact of IFES She Leads is clear: leadership is not about holding a title, but about creating change through inclusivity and empowerment. Looking ahead, she remains committed to using what she has learned to create inclusive spaces, uplift others, and contribute to positive change in her community.
Her message to women is powerful:
“Your voice matters. Your vision is powerful. And your leadership is needed now more than ever. Leadership is not defined by titles; it is defined by courage, inclusivity, and the ability to uplift others. Continue to break barriers and challenge limits.”
Overall, the She Leads Training resulted in strengthened networks of women leaders across the 11 centres, fostering peer support and collaboration beyond the training itself. Participants left with a clearer understanding of their leadership potential and practical tools to drive change within their communities, workplaces, and households. The programme has laid a strong foundation for continued engagement, with many women expressing commitment to applying their learning, mentoring others, and advocating for more inclusive and equitable participation in leadership and governance processes.
