Westpac Fiji has launched its flagship community programme, the Westpac Women and Girls Education Grants, which gives the opportunity to empower 30 Fijian women and girls through financial support so recipients can pursue their academic and professional ambitions.
The programme was established in 2002 and has successfully supported over 400 women and girls, investing more than $300,000 to support recipients.
Westpac Fiji says the annual programme offers 30 bright individuals an education grant in one of three categories including Primary School ($500), Secondary School ($1,000), and Tertiary/Adult Learners ($2,500).
It says the 2026 programme theme is “Balance the Scales: Empowering Fijian Women and Girls through Education” and the 2026 application topic for Primary School is to create a poster from their own experiences showing Westpac what a safe and equal world for girls looks like.
For Secondary School, they will have to write an essay, poster or create a video 500 on the topic on what does "Balance the Scales" mean in their Fijian community, and what one action can young people take based on local challenges to make girls safer and stronger?
For Tertiary Adult Learners, they have to write an essay using about 1,500 words on real barriers they have seen in Fiji schools and society, how learning programmes can break discrimination, build rights awareness, and ensure justice access for women to balance the scales.
Westpac Fiji Chief Executive, Shane Smith says the grants reflect the bank’s deep belief that investing in women and girls creates lasting benefits for Fiji and local communities.
He says education is one of the most powerful tools we have to empower women and girls and help them unlock their true potential.
Smith says through this grant, they are proud to support women and girls who are determined to pursue their goals, strengthen their communities and inspire others along the way.
He says the extraordinary impact the grants have had on shaping the educational futures of grant recipients has truly been rewarding to witness.
2025 grant recipient Avisha Narayan shared how the grant has helped pay her tuition fees while giving her an avenue to speak her mind.
Caption (L-R) Westpac Fiji Senior Relationship Manager for CCB, Priti Archana hands Avisha Narayan her certificate of recognition last year at the Lautoka branch.
The Sabeto resident, who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science, draws inspiration and support from her mother, saying that she wrote her essay to describe a situation she sees around her every day and one that Fiji faces as a nation too.
She wrote about the important role that women play in our society, which is ever-increasing and so demanding.
Narayan explained that however, there are also women being abused and hurt, taken for granted and it really is time for us to take a stand and speak up for our rights in order to march forward together.
Westpac Fiji says from a business perspective, the education grants underscore Westpac’s values-driven approach to financial capability and leadership development.
They say the grant programme represents a strategic commitment to inclusion, empowerment and long-term impact, while providing a powerful platform to recognise women and girls who are driving innovation and striving for meaningful change in their communities.
Applications will officially open on 1st of April.
