How can we claim to build a fair and a democratic Fiji if women do not have an equal opportunity to share the decisions that govern our nation.
Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Preetika Raj raised this question during the Fiji Women's Practice Parliament this morning.
Raj, who is a rural community advocate, a dairy farmer and an advisory councillor for Vunidawa constituency at Upper Naitasiri, believes that the future of Fiji must be shaped by the voices of both women and men.
She says women are not spectators in Fiji's development.
Raj says they are farmers, mothers, workers, entrepreneurs and community leaders.
She says women help sustain families, strengthen rural economies and move our communities forward, yet, when it comes to political leadership, too many women still face barriers that prevent their voices from being heard.
Raj says some women face financial barriers that make campaigning difficult and others face cultural expectations that leadership belongs mainly to men.
Raj further says women who speak boldly may face criticism, discrimination, intimidation or abuse.
She adds that Fiji does not want leadership divided by gender but strengthened by equality.
Raj urges everyone to create opportunities, remove barriers and support women who are brave enough to step forward.
