Young women are being encouraged to step into leadership and have their voices heard despite the stigma, criticism and discrimination they continue to face.
Speaking during the Leaders Lounge organised by Leadership Fiji part of their 25th anniversary, Climate and Environment Activist, Founder of Young EcoChamps Fiji and the Stop Releasing Balloons campaign Anne-Mary Raduva says young women are needed in leadership spaces, including Parliament, workplaces and homes, and must be supported through strong networks and sisterhood.
Insert: Raduva on stigma 11th Aug
Speaking to fijivillage News, Raduva shares she had mentally, emotionally and spiritually prepared herself for criticism when she entered the public sphere, adding that throughout history, youth activists have often faced criticism because people can feel threatened by their message and influence.
Raduva says her environmental advocacy began when she was 13 as she started raising awareness about balloon releases and called on the Government to classify balloon releasing as littering under Fiji's Litter Act 2008.
She says she wrote to the then Prime Minister in 2018 asking for the issue to be reconsidered, but her request was not acknowledged.
Raduva says the experience nevertheless empowered her to take further action adding she realised that simply talking about balloon releases was not enough and that she needed to find an environmentally friendly alternative to amplify the message.
Raduva encourages people to become activists within their homes, communities and workplaces and said networks could be used to challenge inequalities, question existing processes and contribute to change.
She also spoke about the financial realities behind her environmental campaigns stressing her campaigns were often planned around her mother's payday, with her mother making sure there was money for transportation, reusable and biodegradable garbage bags, gloves and light refreshments.
She recalls the challenges she faced when, at the age of 13, she was told to concentrate on her studies, get a good job and leave campaign work to adults, professionals, experts and Government leaders.
Raduva says she witnessed what she considered disrespect from some adults and professionals when young people spoke about climate change, environmental issues and sustainable development.
She also recalls being mocked by some adults, including being called balloon girl and condom girl.
During the question and answer session, Raduva said her two younger sisters were among the biggest motivations behind her climate advocacy.
She says one of her sisters is 19 while the other is eight, and she wants them to grow up in an environment where they are safe, secure and have access to resources.
Raduva also says some leaders and politicians can feel threatened when young people demand accountability and transparency.
She says her faith, her mother and her two younger sisters have been important sources of support throughout her activism journey.
Meanwhile, Anne-Mary's proud mother, Moira Vilsoni, says support for young activists must begin at home, recalling that the family stood by Anne-Mary from the age of 13 when she began her climate advocacy.
Vilsoni says the family also worked to ensure Anne-Mary's message remained authentic and that she was not used by others to promote their own climate agendas.
She says supporting her daughter also meant helping financially, particularly as Anne-Mary became more involved in activism.
As Anne-Mary moves from activism into politics, Vilsoni is urging families to support young leaders, particularly young women, and says they need a small and trusted network where they can have open and honest conversations.
