Fijiana 7s and Olympics bronze medallist Rusila Nagasau wishes to see more women represented across various sectors within the next five years.
During a recent panel discussion held in Suva to mark the launch of Fiji’s National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against All Women & Girls, Nagasau, who was part of the Fijiana team that won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, proposed the inclusion of education on ending violence against women and girls in school curricula, saying, “if they start from a small age, they will go a long way.”
Proud of the involvement of women in a male dominated field like Rugby, she encouraged women to harness their talents and showcase their potential in any area of interest they pursue.
“We can’t all be doctors, we can’t be all teachers, we can’t be all lawyers. Women and girls have different talents, give them the opprtunity to showcase what they have,” Nagasau said.
Also present at the launch was Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad who highlighted government’s commitment to protecting the rights, safety and well-being of women and girls in Fiji.
“We are dedicated to ensuring that this National Action Plan is not just a document, but a living and breathing framework that transforms the lives of all women and girls across our nation,” Professor Biman said.
Highlighting the progress made in securing funding for the implementation of the plan, the Deputy Prime Minister said that the government had successfully mobilised significant funding, including generous support from the Government of Australia, amounting to a total of $FJD6 million.
Furthermore, he revealed the introduction of a new budget line specifically dedicated to facilitate the plan’s implementation across key ministries in the upcoming fiscal year.
The national plan will be implemented with the help of key ministries including the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts, the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation and the Ministry of Health.
