More on the passing-out parade
Nabala Secondary School Best Female Cadet Valania Dawasomaniu believes women could achieve more than men if they are determined and work hard.
The second eldest of three siblings said her achievement came through hard work and perseverance.
“We should not underestimate ourselves. It is rare to see women achieving such awards in a school cadet passing-out parade and today I am honoured to be receiving such award,” Valania said.
“I have learned so much in the past five weeks of cadet training and I know that what I gained from here will help me in the long run. “Most of us were new to the system, especially waking up in the early morning during this bad weather, but I am able to gain so much, especially in the areas where they taught the virtues of respect, obedience and time management,” she said.
The Nasealevu, Seaqaqa, native was presented the Best Female Cadet award during the Nabala Secondary School cadet passing-out parade at the schools ground yesterday, with more than 80 students taking part.
Valania said women could do anything if they put their mind to it. “I urge the men to stop their drinking grog and work as much as we women do,” she said. “We don’t need to be disheartened when people are saying things about us, but instead take it as a stepping stone to achieving great things in life.
“It is important to be obedient to our superiors, sometimes they may say things to us that aren’t nice to our ears, but in one way they are trying to push us so that we bring out the best in us. “Women in Fiji are becoming more and more educated at tertiary and secondary level. There are more lawyers and accountants and they are very well qualified,” she said.
Her advice to young women is to be agents of change.
“They are the actual link between the old and the new. They have the capacity, but they also do not have the social norms that bind women my age,” Valania said.
“So younger women should join young men in bringing about the change that they want to see and becoming agents of that change. They are so smart. They are so quick, but when you ask them to put their name forward or ask for contributions or volunteers, they are always waiting last in line. “They have to learn and put themselves forward first. They need to have belief and confidence in themselves.
“You have it all. Now do it. Experience it and take on the challenge because everything else will follow.”