A participant of Fiji Women’s Rights Movement’s Grow.Inspire.Relate.Lead.Succeed Programme says she always wanted to be involved in a lot of events but could not because she has hearing impairment.
The girl says through the program, she knows that she has the power to control what her future looks like.
Around 40 girls between the ages of 10 to 17 learnt about feminism, gender equality and gained confidence over the weekend through the program.
Another participant from Vugalei Settlement in Lami says this has been an exciting experience for her as she has learnt about gender equality, rights and responsibilities.
She says they have learnt that a girl can do anything she sets her mind to and needs to speak up and use her voice when she needs to.
FWRM Executive Director, Nalini Singh says there was a need to create and nurture the spaces and the platforms for girls to learn and raise their opinions and articulate issues in the face of multiple layers of discrimination they see and face on a daily basis.
She says FWRM takes a life cycle approach for intergenerational leadership development ensuring the realities of women, young women and girls of all diversities are highlighted throughout.
Singh adds girls experience the world differently and there is significance in raising awareness on their lived realities which is key to influencing policies that affect them.
FWRM says GIRLS Programme led the 'Brown Girls Rocking Feminism' Event for International Women's Day where dance, art, spoken word and pop quizzes were the highlights of the occasion.
International Women's Day will be celebrated tomorrow.
