Focus on women
WOMEN in leadership roles in the commerce sector in Fiji still remain to be very low and are behind in uptaking them in this regard.
This was highlighted by the president of Women in Business Dr Nur Bano Ali at the annual general meeting on Wednesday where she stated the excuse given for this by various sectors was the lack of relevant qualified women to fill these roles.
“Fiji still needs a lot of work to fully embrace and indeed comprehend the need to include women at the highest levels of decision-making,” she said.
WIB however is providing the upskilling so as to boost the confidence in women to take up positions when offered.
“We have discussed at our board that it will be worth our while to take stock of the number of women in leadership and top positions in commerce and on corporate boards and we will monitor the rate at which this is changing,” said Dr Ali.
WIB, according to her, will continue to focus on women in leadership in business and commerce as it is through this leadership that further a faster progress for women.
“There has never been a time like now to promote women into higher levels and decision-making positions.
“The world let alone Fiji is asking for equality for women's participation in commerce and indeed all spheres of life.
“The stigma associated with women's financial and social independence is eroding at an encouraging rate and the conversation around women's inclusion is delightfully comfortable and positive.”
However the narrative around women’s participation in equal numbers was progressive according to Dr Ali.
She added, WIB would remain committed to pushing for women in the very top executive positions which at present was a struggle.
“We also need to grow our women-owned businesses to become larger organisations.
“So we at the executive board are focused on working on our two main objectives which are to promote women to the highest levels of business and executive and to upskill the emerging women in business – those who cannot access resources and skills.
“Thereby create a smarter pool of talented women in the commerce of Fiji.”
During the AGM four new members were also added to the executive board bringing the total to eight.
These new board members included Janice Nand, Kalpana Lal, Mareta Fong and Debra Sadranu, with existing members Verqa Chute, Karen Lobendahn, vice president Sarah Wild and president Dr Ali.
Fiji still needs a lot of work to fully embrace and indeed comprehend the need to include women at the highest levels of decision-making – Dr Nur Bano Ali