A recruitment drive has been launched for women leaders across Fiji who want to participate in the upcoming municipal elections.
While launching the drive with International Republican Institute, Assistant Minister of Women, Children, and Social Protection Sashi Kiran says having worked in civil society for more than two decades where there are many women leaders, she feels there is a need to support more women in political leadership.
She says since March she has consulted many women's organisations around the country to understand why there are so few women in leadership positions - whether its school committee boards or in national politics.
Kiran says there are many reasons given and she hopes through providing a network, they can support women and build their confidence to take more leadership roles.
The Minister and IRI will target 13 municipal districts to recruit women interested in taking a more active role in public life, with an eye to identifying women who want to run in the upcoming local elections.
The program will establish a community of women leaders who want to take on leadership positions in their communities and through elected office.
It will offer training on leadership skills and capacity building for women candidates who are interested in running for the upcoming municipal elections.
IRI and Kiran will collaborate with all 5 of Fiji’s elected women Members of Parliament in implementing these activities.
