“YOU are wonderful ambassadors for young women and girls in Fiji and also in the Pacific.”
These were the sentiments of Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa at the morning team hosted by the French Embassy to celebrate women empowerment and the successful qualification of the women’s sevens team to the Olympic Games.
Vuniwaqa said she was content with the national women’s side for being great ambassadors to women and girls.
“I am a very proud minister for women that Fiji can call on you as wonderful ambassadors for young women and girls today and with your support we can seize the opportunity to grow women and girls in sports in communities across our island nation,” she said.
Vuniwaqa said the determination in women’s side was a clear example of a step towards gender equality.
“It has been recognised that sports can be a force to amplify women’s voices and tear down gender barriers and discrimination. Women in sports defy the misperception that they are weak and incapable and every time you clear a hurdle or kick a ball, demonstrating not only physical strength but also leadership and strategic thinking you take a step towards gender equality,” said Vuniwaqa.
After a hard fought journey in last week’s Oceania Sevens, the Fiji Airways Fijiana side has qualified to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Present at the morning tea was United Nations Women representative Sandra Bernklau and French Ambassador Jean-Francois Fitou.
