After 100 years of solely being a gentleman’s club, the Defence Club in Suva is planning to amend its constitution to allow full membership for women.
Club President, Tom Ricketts says they are still seen as a sexist club.
Ricketts says in order for the club to meet the international guidelines of gender equality, full membership will need to be granted for women.
He says it will need a two thirds majority from all members to amend the constitution.
The Defence Club has 200 members.
The club was founded in 1915 on strong military principles by the then Governor of Fiji Sir Ernest Sweet Escott.
The Defence Club’s colourful past includes memorable events like the visit of Kingsford Smith during his epic and historic flight of the Southern Cross over the South Pacific in 1928.
Centennial celebrations marking the club’s achievements were held last night and it was also attended by a delegation from its sister club in Tonga, the Royal Nukualofa Club.
The Royal Nukualofa Club delegation was led by the Crown Prince of Tonga Tupouto’a Ulukalala and the Crown Princess, Sinaitakala Fakafanua.
