‘Lot of capable women in Fiji’
A LOT of women think twice about taking part in decisionmaking processes because of the fear of being attacked on social media.
Assistant Women Minister Sashi Kiran shared this in Vuda at this week’s International Women’s Day celebrations.
She said there were a lot of capable women in Fiji who could be utilised in school committee boards, hospital visitors’ boards and even statutory boards. However, there were not a lot of support systems to enable them to do so.
“And today’s social media world it makes it harder,” Ms Kiran said.
“It’s not that we don’t have capable women, but a lot of women think twice considering the social media era we are in.
“I was actually thinking after two to three weeks into this job, I wish the cameras are not invented, and I wish the social media wasn’t invented because somewhere in town somebody comes to you and say, ‘can I take a photo’ and before you know it, you’re rubbish on social media.”
Ms Kiran said women did not usually get the necessary support to allow them to make the transition and this was the reason they hesitated in joining important spaces.
“That makes me encourage young women to come into safe spaces, like coming on to committees and boards because they have so much to give and that’s comfortable enough place before they decide whether you want to go into bigger decision making or not.
“We are looking for women who are willing to be just interested so then we can organise leadership sessions where we can hold hands with those who can provide support needed for women to come into leadership and serve.”