Only a woman can feel the pain and suffering of another woman.
Sharda Segran, 62, has devoted her life serving the weak, needy and vulnerable women in rural communities. Women at her age usually take a break from the usual busy chores of life but for Sharda everyday is spent either visiting someone or preparing for an upcoming event for women empowerment.
The retired nurse received the calling to extend a helping hand while working as a community health nurse in areas around Nausori during the 1970s.
"I was never placed in the hospital but always went out for field work. This was the time when I visited the rural communities, settlements, the villages and saw the hardship women faced. I was able to see the day-to-day difficulties, suffering and pain these women go through and I made up my mind to do something for them when I retire," she says.
Giving a voice to the fearful, weak, and vulnerable women became the mission for this Pride of Fiji nominee.
"These women at that time were living only to serve others," she adds.
"They were busy either looking after their children, husbands or their households. They basically had no time of their own and many of them lived in fear of their authoritative husbands. They were not given any money and were not allowed to go anywhere. They sometimes made up excuses to come to hospital so they could have a view of the town and shop around."
She had the urge to break all these barriers and give a new turn to these women.
"These women did not have any knowledge at that time about International Women's Day and about their rights. They had the talent, the skill and creativity but no guidance. All they needed was a little push to go out and prove themselves."
Her first major achievement was the establishment of Kuku Mothers Club in 1990 with eight members.
Sharda's dedication and bravery last year saw the birth of the Nausori Rural Women's Association that now has 40 members.
NRWA aims to empower and advance women through education, information, communication and to enable them to make informed decisions.
