Two new members
TWO new members have joined the Fiji Women’s Fund steering committee — Cathy Wong and information and communications technology expert Georgina Naguilevu.
Fund manager Michelle Reddy said Ms Wong was no stranger to humanitarian work, medicine, and sport in Fiji and the Pacific and Humanitarian Scientist and Physiotherapist by profession, she owned and managed the largest private rehabilitation centre in Fiji.
Ms Wong said as an organisation responsible for the enhancement of “women”, she saw the parallel that sports could offer in this space.
“Sports cuts across all boundaries and has a place in promoting peace, building prosperity, developing partnership, safeguarding the environment and sports is about people.
“I also saw this appointment as an opportunity to build partnerships with non-sporting organisations and how together we can build an equal opportunity playing field for women in Fiji,” said Ms Wong.
A statement from the fund said the steering committee provided overall strategic guidance and support to the fund including the allocation of funds and comprised representatives from the Australian government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Fiji Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation's Department of Women, the Pacific Women Support Unit, representatives of women's CSOs and the private sector. It said Ms Wong and Ms Naguilevu replace Mere Roden of the Spinal Injuries Association and Tupou Vere (formerly of Oxfam).
Meanwhile Ms Naguilevu has more than 11 years of software development experience in the ICT field across multiple industries and a senior manager at the HFC Bank where she oversees applications, projects, and innovation.
It said putting her ICT knowledge and skills to use, she co-founded the Mobile Me Mappathon App — a community project in partnership with the Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation that locates facilities on the road, pavements and footpath within pilot sites in Suva accessible for persons with disabilities.
“As a young professional and a woman living with a disability, I hope that through my participation with the steering committee that I am able to advocate for equal and inclusive opportunities for women.
“I would like to use my technical knowledge in ICTs to empower more women in digital inclusion projects,” she said.
According to the fund Ms Naguilevu holds membership in the International Centre for Democratic partnerships, Fiji Institute of Banks and the Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society.
Steering committee chairperson Nalini Singh thanked both the outgoing women for their immense contributions and support to the fund over the past three years and wished them well in their future endeavours.