Ensuring female visibility in the maritime community
Women make up to 5 per cent of the total number of staff working at the Government Shipping Services (GSS) in Fiji. “We are above the international benchmark.”
This statement was made by the Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Faiyaz Siddiq Koya during the celebration for International Day for Women in Maritime at Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva yesterday.
“The Government Shipping Services (GSS), in Fiji, has more than 150 staff of which 5 per cent are women.
“We are very proud to have a woman lead the Department – Director responsible for both land and maritime transport – Faranisese Kinivuwai,” the minister said.
International Day for Women in Maritime (ID4WIM) is a day to acknowledge and ensure women become more visible throughout the maritime community and the sector overall with wider representation at decision-making levels.
Through the pandemic, women have led in various roles as community leaders, health heroes, church figures, business owners and national leaders.
“We envisage to see more women join the industry, and hold prominent roles – so to the confident young women within our presence this morning – this is your break, so fully harness the opportunities you have,” Hon. Faiyaz Koya said.
During the celebration, eight awards were presented to Fijian women in maritime for their achievements to accord them the recognition they deserve.
One of the awardees, Ranju Kumar said she was very eager about women’s empowerment.
“I am very passionate about inspiring women and sharing my wisdom and knowledge,” she said.
Ms Kumar had been associated with Fiji WIMA since 2019 in the capacity of an Associate Member, Consultant, Mentor and Confidant.
“It’s been a four year journey with WIMA as their lead consultant and advisor in various projects that they have done,” she said.
She said it was a great achievement to be awarded the Fiji WIMA Mentorship.
“I feel very humble and happy to be one of the recipients of the awards,” she said.
Ms Kumar is the owner and principal consultant for Smart Training which is one hundred percent Fijian owned. The company understands and blends with the local business culture, especially for Fiji’s Maritime Industry.
She believes in empowering and sharing knowledge and wisdom with women to help them grow.
“It gives me immense satisfaction when I help women to achieve their career adjective.”
She said her mother has been her biggest supporter throughout her career and dedicated the award to her.
“My mum has been most instrumental in being my mentor.”
Another recipient of the award, Seruwaia Hong Tiy said she felt very honoured and privileged to be awarded the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ms Tiy who hails from Nadroga said she was very fortunate to be associated with Fiji WIMA and with so many powerful women who have supported each other.
She was in the medical profession years back.
“I was a Minister for Health Services in the Rabuka government.
“I stood for elections and got into parliament representing my province of Nadroga, Navosa in 1993.”
After joining the International Maritime Organisation, she made an outstanding contribution to the shipping and maritime industry during her career.
She said being a seafarer is a big thing.
“I support all my ladies out there,” she said
She has encouraged women to focus on their goals, and have the free spirit and the confidence in themselves to step out into the world and achieve whatever they want to achieve.
The theme for ID4WIM this year is “Training-Visibility-Recognition: supporting a barrier-free working environment.”
There were 59 submissions for the 8 awards out of which six awards were presented to individuals for their outstanding commitment towards Fiji WIMA and the maritime industry and two awards for companies that showed exemplary response during COVID. com.fj
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