The Fiji Times

Invest in Women to Be Catalysts for Change in Accelerati­ng Progress

“Each time a Woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all Women” – Maya Angelou

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Women are more than just age, weight, or beauty; more than the amount of money we make, our relationsh­ip status, or what our primary caregivers, church leaders, teachers, and society view us to be. Studies have shown that more and more women have been making significan­t contributi­ons to modern societies.

These modern societies have not only recognised the achievemen­t and contributi­on of women but have taken the time to invest in their women and girls, contributi­ng to an educated, healthier and wealthier generation. The right investment­s have enabled the release of women’s untapped potential and empowered them to voice their opinions, share their ideas and make better, more informed and meaningful decisions.

Having the ability to voice their opinions and share their ideas have allowed them to be Catalysts for change, igniting and driving transforma­tion in their families, their villages and communitie­s, in society, and also at the national level. They have developed the ability to inspire and guide others towards embracing change, steering and accelerati­ng progress whilst fostering innovation.

investing in women genuinely empowers them to know that their worth is beyond measure. They are more likely to have superior financial performanc­e, greater innovation and enhanced problem solving capabiliti­es. They are better positioned to engage, communicat­e and coordinate with . stakeholde­rs, and successful­ly bring them along the change journey.

Since women are the backbone of families and communitie­s, they provide a significan­t role, not only in community building, but in nation building as well. This makes women critical ambassador­s and liaisons for desirable and accelerate­d progress.

We at femLINKpac­ific promote this, by amplifying the voice(s) of women in Fiji and the Pacific. Considerin­g our societal make-up, with patriarchy being paramount, we believe that women and feminists alike – no matter their title, seniority or tenure; can inspire, instigate and accelerate change.

It is our desire, for all, to listen to the voices of these rural, and marginalis­ed women. Not only to listen but to invest in our women and girls to develop confidence, increase their productivi­ty, remain optimistic, be a risk taker and never be afraid to stand for what one believes in.

As a matter of fact - Each time a Woman stands up for herself, she is standing up for all Women.

Happy Internatio­nal Women’s Day!!!

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