WOMEN A FORCE OF EVOLUTION, SAYS MINISTER
Fiji now has the highest number of women in Parliament in its democratic history, says Veena Bhatnagar. She made the remark during the Andhra Convention 2018 Cultural night sponsored by Dakshina India Andhra Sangam of Fiji at Sila Secondary School in Nausori on Friday.
She said today, in contrast to past centuries, women are literate, educated and liberated to lead.
“Women’s roles have expanded from being home makers to being the force behind the evolution of our societies,” Ms Bhatnagar said. “We have more women graduating from tertiary institutions than men and we have more women owning businesses than yesteryears.
“Women in Fiji are now having better access to justice when their human rights are violated through domestic violence and sexual abuse and they are now provided with much better health care facilities. “We have women who have shattered stereotypes by entering the workforce in sectors previously dominated by men,” Ms Bhatnagar said.
She said women, having toiled under circumstances of stereotypes for centuries, owe it to themselves to embrace how they can be effective actors of development within their homes and society.
“Families need to support the girls within their homes foremost in making strong minded, progressive and passionate women who can influence greater positive changes or themselves and those around them,” Ms Bhatnagar said. Dakshina India Andhra Sangam of Fiji was incorporated under the Companies Ordinance of 1913 way back in 1941 by the late Alpaty Kamma Tataiya.
Mr Tataiya was born in Andhra Pradesh, India. He came to Fiji on board the M.V. Leonidas in 1890 and served as an indentured labourer.
After completing his five-year contract in the indentured labour system, Mr Tataiya opted to remain in Fiji and finally he settled at Gallau, Rakiraki, as a sugarcane farmer. His keen interest in nation building led to the establishment of various political and non-government organisations in Fiji, including the founding of the Then India Sanmarga Ikya (TISI) Sangam.