International Women’s Day is not only a day to celebrate how strong and capable women and people who portray women are, even in the face of adversity, but it is also to mark how far we have come since the launch of the day in 1911 and to continue pushing the dial on equality and making the world a better place for all genders.

The idea of ​​celebrating International Women’s Day originated in 1909, when suffragette Clara Lemlich demanded more pay, shorter hours and better working conditions for thousands of female garment workers, successfully encouraging women from all over New York to go on strike.

Then, in 1910, at the Second International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen, Clara Zetkin, a communist activist, suggested that each country should celebrate the achievements of women one day a year, with that day also being used as an opportunity to push their demands more. for change.

It was nice to see the scale of awareness that was achieved on International Women’s Day.

The Fiji Times is praised for leading the charge.

In my article (FT: 05/03) I shed light on the importance of IWD, and through this article I would like to reflect on celebrating IWD and what we could achieve in the future. .

Role of the print media

The editor wrote two interesting, “food for thought” and relevant editorials this week, titled “Value, Respect, Empowerment” and “Making it happen for our women”.

Her message was crystal clear, and I refer to the following lines from her editorial (08/03), “Let’s recognize the role of women in our lives.

Let’s welcome and celebrate their accomplishments, and focus on ways to help them achieve their goals.

We should do everything we can to help our women achieve their dreams. They too have hopes and aspirations.

We need to empower our women. The cases of abuse and domestic violence are real. Let us show a united front to fight it.

If there is a plethora of advice and support for the cause of our women, it must be supported by our commitment.

Our women have the right to be heard”. The second editorial (09/03) also stood out. I found the play difficult and worth reading.

I was inspired by these lines: “We should do justice to the status of women in our country. We recognize everyone who is enthusiastic and eager to make a difference.

We recognize the work behind the scenes to empower our women and we appreciate the sacrifices our women make every day. The challenge is to get everyone on the same page, every day! »

We must appreciate the important role they play in our lives and we must respect them on a daily basis!

The Fiji Times lift-out inspired and made a difference! Women must thrive!

The leader of the women’s wing of the People’s Alliance Party, Titilia Vuataki, said women can thrive in all areas of their lives.

She encouraged women to become self-sufficient to provide for their families during difficult times.

She added that when women are empowered, they can meet the challenges thrown at them and move their families forward.

At the Makoi Women’s Vocational Training graduation ceremony, however, Deputy High Commissioner for New Zealand Michelle Podmore told the 47 graduates of a cooking and sewing certificate that the education was the key to growth.

She said education was key for women to realize their potential and fulfill their aspirations.

Page 16 of Thursday’s Fiji Times was devoted to celebrating IWD, and headlines such as “Gratitude for Women”, “Respecting Mothers, Sisters” and “Priority in Advocacy for Women’s Rights” show the importance of celebrating IWD.

They also show that much more needs to be done to achieve equality and end gender stereotypes and discrimination.

Soldiers celebrate Women’s Day in Ukraine

Thursday’s Fiji Times article titled “Amid War, Soldiers Celebrate Women’s Day” (page 34) captures the true spirit of celebrating Women’s Day.

Soldiers in Ukraine feared a Russian attack was imminent, but they took the time to buy flowers for friends and family for Women’s Day, and even though life in the sea port Noire was upset, the soldiers had time to commemorate and celebrate this special day. .

Yuriy, who is a reservist in the Ukrainian territorial forces, had this to share: “War or no war, our women need to be protected, loved and respected. They (women) also serve (in the army), they also protect our country, they also help us, and they bring positive things. We must always remember them”.

Such a touching and inspiring message for all of us as we reflect on the safety of Ukrainians!

IWD Celebration at FTU Headquarters

Women are special and so is the role they play in keeping us going. Imagine a life without women! It’s going to be dark and brooding. I was part of the International Women’s Day celebration at FTU Hall on Tuesday.

I was touched by the attendance. It was a sea of ​​purple. Keynote speaker Elizabeth Fong, who is the President of the USP Staff Association, gave a powerful speech.

Elizabeth Fong, who joined USP in 1978, has dedicated 40 years of her life to the institution as librarian, senior librarian, assistant university librarian and university librarian.

She has worked at regional campuses in Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tuvalu, Tonga and Vanuatu. Her areas of interest are justice and good governance, the status of women, gender equality, work ethics and women’s rights.

Fong shared that IWD was an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women around the world and in our country who have helped increase gender equality that has improved the quality of our lives against the backdrop of the experiences of our mothers, grandparents -mothers and great-grandmothers.

Fong defined an egalitarian world as one free from prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination and a diverse, equitable, and inclusive world where differences are valued and celebrated.

According to Fong, in order to break down prejudice, we need to consider hiring women in leadership positions.

She stressed the importance of having a succession plan which should be closely tied to hiring and progression and employers need to be pushed and constantly reminded to balance opportunities. She said it was essential that reviews and assessments remained impartial.

Fong challenged unions to create a women’s wing in order to strengthen the voice of women within the labor movement and to tackle inequalities not only in society, but also in the labor movement.

Her speech captured the interest of the audience present and the women members of FTU were inspired by the presentation she made.

FTU General Secretary Agni Deo Singh also addressed the audience, alongside another powerful speaker, Basundra Kumar, who has served Fiji as a teacher, administrator, trade unionist.
and a leader.

I thank the brave The Fiji Times for the wonderful coverage. Cameraman Jonacani Lalakobau also captured the event well with his powerful camera.

The female members appreciated the program.

The celebration empowered our women members.

Fijiana Drua inspires women

The biggest inspiration for many girls and women came from Fijiana Drua’s performance in the Super W competition.

The Drua won the first round of the Super W in scintillating fashion, destroying the Melbourne Rebels 66-5 on their competitive debut.

Fijiana Drua have moved from Fiji to the Gold Coast to join the six-team league, with the country’s top talent vying for national team spots for this year’s RWC tournament in New Zealand.

Fijiana produced a combination of brilliant skill and intimidating physicality to beat hosts Endeavor Hills Rugby Club after flooding in Brisbane forced the game to be moved from Suncorp Stadium.

According to Sky Sports, Super Rugby Pacific and NZ Rugby Stuff, the front row of Vika Matarugu, Karalaini Naisewa and Jiowana Sauto spent a day all scoring tries in the first half.

Naisewa was a blistering effort from the restart, while fullback Roela Radiniyavuni didn’t miss as she tapped quickly and then dived over any tacklers to find the line.

Radiniyavuni had his second moments after the restart before Kolora Lomani scored twice in four minutes as the floodgates opened and the full-back got his hat-trick.

The teams came together for a song after the game, before Drua captain Bitila Tawake promised the same against the Queensland Reds.

The Rebels never stopped tackling and eventually found points, keeping the ball alive before Nawel Remini beat a number of tacklers to score with three minutes remaining.

The Drua were only admitted to the competition last month but their immediate dominance sent a message around the competition ahead of a fixture with the Queensland Reds today. Congratulations to Fijiana Drua for the epic win!

• RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM is a regular contributor. The opinions expressed by him are his own and not those of this newspaper.