Women in the navy
THE navy as an arm of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces plays a critical role for the nation. This was highlighted by the Republic of Fiji Navy’s Lieutenant Commander Silipa Tagicaki Kubuabola during the World Maritime Day celebration in Suva last month.
“There is a lot of interest in Fiji’s fish resources in our waters and in the region and the only arm of government that has the capacity and skills to protect our marine resources and to ensure that we do not entertain the illegal trafficking of drugs, human trafficking, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing,” Lt. Cdr Kubuabola said.
She said it was the navy that was entrusted with the responsibility bearing in mind that Fiji’s land territory as a maritime nation was smaller than its maritime space.
She also expressed the important role of women in the maritime industry.
“Empowering women in the maritime industry can only be possible if you have political will at the leadership level and it’s not only government’s responsibility, it’s not only the minister of transport’s responsibility it filters down to all level of leadership,” she said.
“Personally speaking apart from me being a leader where I work, I’m also under a leadership as well and the Chief of Navy, Capt (Humphrey) Tawake recognises the contribution and the uniqueness of women as a gender.
“It’s not about women’s right or gender equality, it’s about recognising what women can bring to the table not only at meetings, not only at office spaces but out there on board ships.
“The leadership that we have now in my personal view is God given because it’s long overdue and having the number of female with me now at the base and also officers in training to me is paving the way for a better and more efficient and effective maritime security force which we need because of all sort of insurgents from transnational activities and we talking about illegal trafficking of drugs, human trafficking, IUU fishing and money laundering,” she added.
She said bringing in women to assist in the planning and also implementation process out at sea in her view and experience would help government meet its objectives.
“It is not only empowering women, it is also empowering the nation to be resilient and better protect itself as a sovereign state and of course with our counterparts and bilateral partners so future generation can enjoy the current resources we are enjoying now,” she said.
Lt. Cdr Silipa was awarded the First Service Women and First Female Commissioned Officer Enlisted into the navy award at the World Maritime Day celebration.
She started her career with the naval division back in 1997.