Five women in leadership roles in Fiji shared in a panel discussion today that the biggest challenge for women in leadership roles is the lack of confidence from their workmates and themselves in their own capabilities.
Minister for Industry and Trade Premila Kumar who was one of the panelists highlighted that one of the ways this issue can be addressed is by including men in women's discussions and support.
Kumar also pointed out that many opportunities for women to take up leadership roles present themselves through advertisements, however the onus is on women to believe that they are capable enough to apply to take on these roles.
The panel discussion that coincided with International Women's Day also touched on issues such as public perception of women in leadership roles and the ability to juggle raising a family and having a leading role in their career as some of the challenges women need to be able to overcome to create the change they want to make in their roles.
The panelists who were also part of the discussion organized by the South Pacific Stock Exchange included Consumer Council CEO Seema Shandil, Director of Fijian Holdings Limited Kalpana Lal, Tower Insurance Head of Pacific Operations Sarah Jane Wild and SPSE Chairperson Dr Nur Bano Ali.
