I AM WOMAN MAGAZINE Fiji - Issue 13 by I AM WOMAN MAGAZINE Fiji

WWW.IAMWOMANFIJI.COM ISSUE 12 JULY/AUG 2020

5 0 YE AR S OF IND EPENdence WO MEN I N F I J I

PUBLISHER

Lorraine Foster EDITOR IN CHIEF Fay Volatabu

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Candace Veramu

ISSUE 13

C O N T E N T S

CONTRIBUTORS Fay Volatabu

Lorraine Foster

F E AT U R E S T O R I E S

Dee Tagivakatini Ana Kaloucava

Atelaite Senibua Laura Pittman GRAPHICS

Candace Veramu

Jacquelynn Fatafehi

MY PARLIAMENTARY JOURNEY

MARKETING, ACCOUNTS & CIRCULATION Lorraine Foster

Feature story 1 page 8

A belligerent feminist of faith Feature story 2 page 8 FRONT COVER On The Cover: Mary Chapman

the evolving farmer For more information, please contact Lorraine Foster on 9969024 or email IAMWOMAN.FIJI@gmail.com I AM WOMAN is published and distributed by Vintage Link Fiji, 7 Matanitobua Street, Suva. All correspondence should be addressed to: GPO Box 17878, Suva, Fiji Islands

PRINTED IN THE FIJI ISLANDS by Printhouse Limited, Suva.

4 IAMWOMAN

Feature story 3 page 8

JULY | AUGUST 2020 5

EDITOR'S NOTE

ISSUE 13

CONTENTS

COPING WITH CHALLENGES

COLUMNS

114 6 IAMWOMAN

50 YEARS : SPECIAL EDITION

WALKABOUT

SME

BSP

FINANCE

CLIMATE CHANGE

FOODTIME

NAPPY TIME - TINY STEPS

Fitness

Health

100

Musings

106

trending

110

leisure

112

FASHION & BEAUTY

114

LEST WE FORGET

126

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Yes.! We have tried to cope with the challenges! From the first known COVID case in Wuhan to the first known case in Fiji on the 1st of March 2020, COVID has dominated the conversations, the decisions and basically the lives of people in Fiji and around the world. Tourism as a major income earner was badly affected as there were no visitors into the country due to the closure of borders. Many Fijian breadwinners lost their employment and livelihoods of families were affected and as a result, the stories of most families were rewritten. Schools were closed for about three months, shows were cancelled, areas were under lockdown and the new norm of interaction, which limited numbers and the ways we socialise affected the very core of our society, which thrives on communal and collective efforts. To record the new norm we share the stories of three women and how they have coped with the COVID crisis and life in general. We also record in our columns how Fiji families have learnt to be resourceful and creative as the market culture, barter system and new businesses were created, and the new fad was having things home grown. In keeping with the theme of home grown the IAM WOMAN team also became home grown models and modelled clothes in the fashion special. As this issue is our fashion issue, we had to be creative as there were no fashion shows, and with the current limitations in finance the I AM WOMAN team showed how we could look glamorous in clothes from thrift shopping. This is revealed in our fashion spread and is also what I have worn in my editorial photo. We also recorded the impact of COVID on the environment, and in our Walkabout Column we shared the creativity and resourcefulness of Fijians at the Markets whilst the Lest We Forget column, recorded how siblings rallied together during the COVID lockdown period and found ways to cope with the challenge of losing of their mother. This whole issue has been about how we have Coped with Challenges. We have our usual Food, Fitness, Trending, Musings, SME, Finance and Nappy Time-Tiny Steps columns where we give insightful tips on healthy and creative living. For our international readers, our Online and Pacific Focus stories record stories of women living overseas. In summary, this issue is a testament to the resilience of the Fijian people and the creativity, resourcefulness, unity and BULA family spirit. We have Coped With the Crisis and the Challenges rather then give up. We hope that as you read through this issue, you will be inspired to do more and motivated to help those less fortunate than you, and more importantly that you will never give up but COPE WITH THE CHALLENGES! Be thankful that you are alive and that you can read about other inspiring Fijian women and know that You are not alone. ENJOY!

Fay Volatabu Editor In Chief

JULY | AUGUST 2020 7

My Parliamentary Journey Written by Fay Volatabu Photography by Supplied 8 IAMWOMAN

JULY | AUGUST 2020 9

Mary Chapman..... “A training I had in my younger years during Lavenia Ah

Koy’s time, which I passed on to my staff was, that we had different parties in Parliament but it was the Opposition

that we had to be more concerned of rather than the

Government side because the Government had the backing of the Government ministries and departments’ personnel but the Opposition relied only on parliament

staff, so that was something I emphasized and I carried it through.

The other important message learnt during my younger days as a staff of Parliament, shared by both the

Opposition Office and the Government Members’ Office,

was to be impartial to both sides. I remember being told

by Lavinia that the then Leader of the Opposition, the late Siddiq Koya, needed someone from Hansard to take notes. I was normally picked on by Lavinia to attend to

the Leader of the Opposition. Next, I would be called on

to take notes from the then Government Minister, Ratu William Toganivalu. Of course, it was always taken for granted that everything we had taken down in shorthand,

what we were privy to, were entre nous. Obviously, now

times have changed and political parties have their own independent Parliament funded offices and staffing.”

I was chatting with the former Secretary General to

Parliament and as she described the workings of parliament, I thought about my perceptions of her, a formidable lady in her black gown and wig during

parliamentary sittings or in photographs I had seen as a

child. Now as I sat across from her, I was aware of how much history was embodied in her tiny frame as she

casually talked and I wished I was back teaching in high school so I could record her or better yet invite her to

one of my History lessons to share her experience about

Fiji’s parliamentary system. and more personally, her experiences in the 50 years of Fiji’s democracy.

It was a cold wet morning and as we sat outside her back porch, I reflected that this lady had worked in

parliament even before I was born so her knowledge of Fiji’s parliament was unparalleled and I was indeed glad that she had agreed to share her story with us.

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JULY | AUGUST 2020 11

WHO IS SHE?

Mary Chapman, the enigmatic grandmother of

Mary was one of the twenty girls from all over the

recalled her life story at her Nadali home and as we

colonial government to study as a stenographer. Her

seventeen and great grandmother of sixteen chatted, she revealed very interesting facts about her ties in Rewa, Nadali, near the Nausori Airport and

Naimasimasi and explained the reason why she was more than comfortable speaking Fijian.

In 1945, she was born in Nausori as Mary Biggs, to Laisa Drova, and a New Zealand Soldier, Bruce Biggs, who was stationed in the New Zealand

base at Nadali during and after the second world

war. Laisa was the daughter of Seru Sovakalia from the Mataqali Naqali of Nakorovou in Rewa, and Mereoni Rauqali Vucago from the Mataqali

Nauluvatu of Nadali, Nausori, Tailevu. Mereoni and

Seru eventually separated and she later remarried Mosese Veremalumu of the Mataqali Rara of Naimasimasi, Tailevu.

Mary revealed that her

mother, Laisa, rejoined her mother and step-father when she turned 16 and it was here that she had met Sgt. Bruce Biggs, a soldier who was stationed

at the New Zealand base which apparently was on her grandmother’s mataqali land. After the war, her father later became a professor at the Auckland

University but Mary was brought up in Nausori by her grandparents, Mereoni and Mosese Veremalumu. Her mother who had remarried Emanuel Rodan of

Nukuwatu in Lami, had a son Victor and Caroline Rodan, sadly passed away when Mary was 5 years old.

country that were awarded a scholarship by the then school was located at the current site of the YWCA

kindergarten at Desvoex Road. Mary revealed that only those with very exceptional high speed would

go onto the second year and she was fortunate to

be awarded the scholarship for the second year to continue her studies. Mary revealed that as a gauche

16-year old Nausori girl, she found Suva daunting, and to illustrate this she recalled an incident where she

and close school mate, a Sigatoka girl, Vimla Pillay

(who also later on joined Hansard) had got lost in Suva when they were sent to the Treasury to get their allowances. Despite her fear of Suva, Mary completed her two years of study and she and members of her class were appointed to different government departments.

EARLY YEARS OF WORK

Mary was sent to the Health department and then to the Commissioner Central Division Office in Nausori

to work as a clerk/stenographer. Those days, the Commissioners were mostly colonial expatriates

like Mr Strict and Mr Campbell until the first local

Commissioner, Ratu Josua Rabukawaqa who later became our first High Commissioner to London after Independence.

Ratu Josua seeing how fast her

shorthand speed was, suggested to the parliamentary clerk, Lavinia Ah Koy that maybe, Mary could join her

team of reporters. It was a busy time in Fiji’s history as Fiji was getting ready for independence. Mary

GROWING UP

Mary shared stories of her childhood, growing up in Nausori until she was 15 when they moved to

the site of their home and where she still currently

resides in. She attended Dilkusha Primary School

and later Lelean Memorial School and she revealed that though she was baptized and known all over as

"You never took sides but did your job as providing support for parliamentarians regardless of their party..." 12 IAMWOMAN

Mary Biggs, her birth certificate however recorded her as Mere Veremalumu as her grandfather, Mosese Veremalumu, who had adopted her, had

given her his surname and even included her in the Vola-ni-Kawa-Bula VKB).

Not many knew of

this fact and she recalled an incident in her school

days where friends had thought she had failed her examinations not realizing that she had used her

joined up with the only male in Hansard, Walter Thomas, and 3 other girls, Vimla Pillay (later married

Peter Westwood, Commissioner Northern at the time, Matelita Nagatalevu, who later became Secretary to the Senate in 1992 and Cecilia Pillay who were selected

to make up the core of the Legislative Council Hansard

team in 1969. In 1975 Mary became the Editor of Official

Reports (Hansard) and in 1992, she was appointed Secretary to the House of Representatives

when

Parliament resumed parliamentary democracy after the coup-de-tat of 1987, acted as Secretary-General

to Parliament in 1975 after the substantive SG, Victor Rigamoto’s retirement and eventually promoted to Secretary-General to the Fiji Parliament.

official name during the examinations.

JULY | AUGUST 2020 13

PARLIAMENTARY WORK

Mary recalled that during the period leading up

After her first tenure in parliament Mary was

Council reporting, they were involved in scribing

and worked as Principal Scholarships Officer in the

to independence in 1969, apart from Legislative for the various committees that were meeting in

preparation for the Marlborough meetings in London to discuss Fiji’s transition into Independence. Lavinia

Ah Koy, in her capacity as Clerk to the Legislative Council was

secretary and accompanied the full

complement of Members of the Legislative Council

that were going to Marlborough, London and in 1970 she became the Clerk to Parliament after Independence.

Mary recalled that in her time as a reporter they were taught to support all parliamentarians regardless of their party but more emphasis was on helping the opposition members.

on to my staff was that we had different parties in

Parliament but it was the Opposition that we had

to aid more because the government side had the backing of the government ministries and personnel

but the Opposition relied only on parliament staff so that was something I emphasized and I carried

through. I followed it up in the 1990s and made sure that we would look after the Opposition more.”

Administrative Officer in the Ministry of Rural Development.

She had to turn down a District

Officer’s appointment in Vanua Levu because of

family commitments. However, her parliamentary life was not ending just yet.

DEALING WITH CHALLENGES IN PARLIAMENT

In the course of our discussions I had to ask Mary about her recollections and experiences in

parliament during and after the three coups and as she spoke my admiration and respect for this stance to continue being part of parliament and

uphold democracy in a bleak period of our nation’s

history when many would rather have walked away. In 1987 when many were walking away from parliament Mary who had then been at the Ministry of Rural Development ran to parliament when she

heard about the Coup. Mary was informed by a coworker that a military coup had been staged and instead of fearing for her life, all that Mary could

Mary recalled that in the 1970’s she would be called “I

remember Lavinia Ah Koy calling me up and saying

Mary, Leader of Opposition needs you to take some

notes for a meeting.” The Leader of Opposition’s

secretary did not write shorthand so Mary would have to go and take notes from the then Leader of the Opposition, Siddiq M Koya. And in the next

hour she would be taking notes for Ratu William Toganivalu - a government Minister.

Mary stated “You never took sides but did your job as providing support for parliamentarians regardless of their party.” She shared that new

Members of Parliament (MP) would joke to her that

she seemed to spend more time in the Opposition

Offices and her answer would be the same “Why should I worry about you, you have all the ministerial and government officers to support you.”

Public Service Commission and later, as Principal

iron lady intensified and I marveled at her resolute

“A training I had in my younger years which I passed

to scribe for various members of parliament.

promoted to various senior administrative positions

think of was that the parliamentary records of what was unfolding needed to be recorded correctly. She took a vehicle to parliament and she said that the

nine- page report, which is now on record was what

she could gather from the girls notes as they were

too shaken to edit the proceedings of that fateful day.

Mary recalled that her husband, Ray Chapman, whom she had met through her good friends Walter

and Jessie Thomas, had been a RNZAF in Singapore. On that fateful day of 1987, he was responsible for the Parliament Recording and Sound System

through TECAIR which he was working for and he

was actually in Parliament. When he saw Sitiveni Rabuka walking into the Chamber, he knew it was a take-over. He calmly

walked down from the

Recording Room to his vehicle and fearing for the

safety of their 4-year old son, picked up Travis

from the Thomas’s residence at Fosters Street and returned home to Nadali. When he rang Mary at

14 IAMWOMAN

JULY | AUGUST 2020 15

work, much to his dismay, he was informed that she had left her office to go to Parliament while everyone was running away from the precincts of Parliament.

In 1991, after a lapse of four years, Mary was brought in to get ready for the new parliament and she had to select girls to be reporters and other staff

in preparation for a new constitutional parliament. She was sent to the House of Commons in London

for a couple of months to observe the proceedings

Mary's Mother

in the House of Commons, and upon returning she assisted in the preparations for the new parliament.

They had to discuss the set-up of the new parliament under the new 1990 Constitution. The new parliament would follow the same bi-cameral parliament as under the 1970 Constitution. However,

there would be a new additions of a Secretary to the Senate, a Secretary to the House of Representatives

and a Secretary-General to Parliament as overall in

charge of the whole Parliament. This was the only new additions to the Parliament staff organization

structure in Veiuto. There were two Chambers with two Presiding Officers with their own Secretaries, but other staffing had to be shared between the two

Houses. “In fact, there were a lot of running around and multi-tasking as you can imagine.”

the Westminster system and its parliamentary rules, the Public Service Commission was still

responsible for allocation of staffing of Parliament although the Constitution stated that “all staffing of the two Houses must be approved by the Speaker

and President of the Senate respectively”. Despite numerous

submissions

the

Public

Service

Commission for increase in staffing, it was not until 1997 that they decided to give an additional 4 posts

to look after the new Sector Committees which were created under the 1997 Constitution. Traditionally,

the

Westminster-type

single

and he or she was in charge of all the workings and

administration of Parliament., such as New Zealand. He/she was impartial and under no one’s influence

apart from advice from his principal procedural

16 IAMWOMAN

Parliamentary Committee on the Constitution.

adviser, i.e. the Clerk to Parliament or in Fiji’s case, the Secretary-General to Parliament.

Mary was in parliament and involved in the scribing

visitations and overseas parliamentary delegations. There was indeed a lot of multi-tasking.

AIthough she had retired by 2012, after the military

In 2000 she was returning from a parliamentary

Commission which had been appointed by the

carried out. But she was in time to coordinate the

coup of 2006, she was recruited by the Yash Ghai current government, to help with their work in

preparing for a new Constitution to replace the 1997 Constitution which the Government had abrogated. “As you will recall, the Yash Ghai Commission draft Constitution was later trashed by the Government

and the Government replaced it with their own draft of the 2013 Constitution.” But prior to the finalization of the 2013 Constitution,

she was asked by the

then Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s

Office, Mr Pio Tikoduadua (who is now MP in the NFP ) to form a 4-Member Working Committee on the

meeting in Europe when the civilian coup was

move of the office to a building in Domain Road where she operated from liasing with the kitchen

staff at the Parliament Bure, and ensuring the Government Members led by then Prime Minister,

Mahendra Chaudhry were at least properly fed throughout their captivity. She acknowledged the

resilience of those few kitchen sfaff ladies, led by the late Elizabeth Levy, who stayed and slept at Veiuto

during those traumatic days to look after those captive Members.

proposed new Fiji Parliament, gearing towards the

However, in 2006 Mary was actually in the

recommendations

Mary Chapman recalled “December fifth, 2006

forthcoming general elections in 2014. Some of her

can be visible in parliament

today, and despite the fact that she has retired

from official parliamentary work, Mary Chapman’s legacy lives on in the structure, administrative and

financial support now given to parliament due to

parliament Chambers when the coup happened.

is a day I will remember, when soldiers walked

into parliament. I have an issue with people who disrespect the House so I told the soldiers to stay out and I would bring the Members of Senate out as they were in chambers.”

In 1992 when parliament resumed parliamentary

She went to inform the President of the Senate to

was under the 1990 Constitution which followed

soldiers surrounding the Parliament chambers but

democracy after the coup-de-tat of May 1987, it along the 1970 Constitution and envisaged a bi-

cameral Houses of Parliament, i.e. the Senate and the House of Representatives. The late Mr Victor

adjourn the House debates as she saw camouflaged

before she finished, soldiers walked into parliament and this upset her very much.

Rigamoto was appointed overall Secretary-General

Her stance was visualised through the media and

House of Representatives and Matelita Nagatalevu

headlines with her obstructive wave whilst trying

to Parliament, Mary was appointed Secretary to the was appointed Secretary to the Senate.

When

Mr Rigamoto retired in 1995, Mary became Acting Secretary General and was eventually confirmed

Chamber Parliament was headed by the Speaker

Mary Chapman

the 1997 Constitution as the Secretary to the Joint

her recommendations.

Mary shared that during this time, while Fiji followed

Mary's Father

of the 1970 Constitution, the 1990 Constitution and

in that position.

These were the only new staffing

changes that were implemented. It was only until

the enactment of the 1997 Constitution, that four new

senior administrative officer posts were created to cater for the Sector Committees introduced under

the 1997 Constitution. For two Houses of Parliament, sitting 2 weeks at a time on alternate months,

the quiet young woman from Nausori was on the to keep soldiers from entering the Parliamentary

Chambers. All she could remember feeling was her reverence for parliament. “I have always treated the Parliament with respect and do not allow anyone

who is not an officer to go into chambers and I was

furious to see these thugs walk into parliament. I was so angry and I told them to stay out of chambers and I would bring the members of the Senate out as they were in the chambers then.”

and the other free weeks devoted to committees

Needless to say parliament was abruptly adjourned

annual parliamentary calendar, apart from school

and since then she has had a relaxed lifestyle.

of the two Houses, it was indeed a very active

and she received her termination letter soon after

JULY | AUGUST 2020 17

REFLECTIONS

Mary has had a lot of time to mull over her life and how things were different then.

In the old System we followed the Westminster Parliamentary System.

They had a calendar prepared for parliament from Jan to Dec and for two weeks of each month the two houses would sit alternately

they had to multi task and there was so much work but they enjoyed it. In retrospect she realizes that

Parliament was one government department which

was run by women. Women who ran parliament then were Mary Chapman (Secretary General),

Matelita Nagatalevu, Secretary to Senate who was then later replaced by by Viniana McGoon, Beci Danford (Headed administration section) Veronica Qarau ( In harge of the library) plus her three

assistant librarians, Jyoti Maharaj (Research) apart

from her 2 male colleagues, Adi Kaca Kikau( editor of the Hansard Reports). All reporters, researchers

and kitchen staff were women, the 4 Sector Committee Secretaries, Kalo Takape, the late Loraini

Korovusere, the late Kelera Nasedra, led by Matelita Nagatalevu who had retired from the position of Secretary to Senate, but I take my hat off to the few brave male colleagues in our midst, like the ever-

green David Blakelock,. Alifereti Bulivou, Senitieli

Wainiu, the late Jone Vakaloloma and Pita Waqawai (Media) Noa Seru Nagera, Nemani Mati and Ernest

Walker in Research), the late Semisi Tara (Audio n

Sound System) and of course those young men and ladies who kept the parliamentary complex and its grounds at Veiuto functioning in perfect condition. decision

involving

parliament

was

participatory and because of that there were

many domestic committees such as the House Committee, the Appropriations Committee and she

would ensure that all the input was taken by both Government and Opposition MP’s.

For instance,

with regard to the parliamentary budget, she would

always ensure to have the draft budgets discussed by the Appropriations and House Committees, to

scrutinize or comment on before having it finalized and sent to the Ministry of Finance.

As far as Parliament staffing was concerned, Mary

always ensured that there was a mixed group of 18 IAMWOMAN

was fully aware of all the processes involved.

the

Indian origins were no longer interested or wary to

shared how a resolution for a parliamentary joint

history.

reflected sadly that after the 1987 coup, girls of join parliament.

She shared though “Working for parliament has always been extra exciting. As a young Hansard reporter being told to cover very important meetings and meeting all kinds of people was the

They had the same staff to serve the two Houses so

Every

women from all races working in parliament. She

norm.”

Two of the meetings that she was privy to

In the lead up to the Reeve’s Commission Mary

parliamentary select committee of the constitution was agreed to by the two Houses of Parliament, and

in September 1993 unanimously resolved that a

Commission of Inquiry should be set up to review the Constitution, with the Terms of Reference contained in the resolution.

was the Sugar Arbitration in 1969 and meeting up

“Both sides had to come up with names for the

Commission which were held here. Not to mention

Dr Brij Vilash lal, and Government suggested Tomasi

with Lord Denning and the British (Nauru) Phosphate

the ACP Meeting and the CHOGRM. Fiji was the

ideal and favourite place to hold such international meetings. Very exciting indeed ” Mary shared.

“There were challenges but we managed, there was

no acrimonious attitude about task, no infighting, no divisiveness but respect for our members, we all had a job to do and we enjoyed it.” Mary added

“The Parliament Budget was not adequate to cover

3-member Commission. The Opposition suggested Rayalu Vakatora. The Chairperson had to be

selected independently and the name agreed to by

both sides was Sir Paul Reeves. My job was to write to him in Auckland. He was holidaying somewhere in England when my letter arrived, and he responded

On committee membership she shared “ by

tradition, the only committee that was chaired by

a nominee of the Leader of the Opposition was the Public Accounts Committee. The Public Accounts Committee does not seek to concern itself with policy. Its interest is whether policy is carried out

efficiently, effectively and economically. The Leader of the Opposition was treated with respect as he

is a constitutional officer. Sadly, some provisions of Standing Orders have been watered down. Now the role of Chairman of the Public Accounts

Committee has been replaced by a member from

constitutions in one way or another, and even in the

After her term in parliament she was asked by the

Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office to form a working committee in readiness of the

some from the kitchen staff were all involved in one way or another with the running of that conference,

where the Fiji Parliament had practically taken over all of Nadi. This was one conference hosted by Fiji

which returned a profit to the Fiji Government from levies paid by those who attended the Conference.

“If there was a Fiji 7s international game on, the staff

would be tasked to finish their job and then meet at a certain time to have us all watching the games

together. Luckily, those games never clashed with any parliamentary meetings.”

Now that she is retired Mary revealed that she for 6 months volunteering with the Fiji Red Cross

to update their records and minutes and she

sometimes travels to New Zealand to visit her son. She has had a three -year term as a member of the Advisory Council in Nausori and served as Justice

of the Peace from 1996 until after changes made by Government sometimes in 2008.

parliamentary systems, processes, support services

this fit lady still has so much history, knowledge and

and resources. As part of her contribution to the

new parliament, she had drawn an organization chart, separating the different staffing roles and highlighting the need for staffing, and had written

a report and sent it to cabinet. Though it was not

occasionally to enjoy a few drinks and talanoa but as a former history teacher, I marvel at the wealth

of information she has and she is both a library and

an archive for the younger generation to glean from when they still have the time.

tabled she shared that parts of the report were

I was fortunate to have had the time to listen to Mere

staffing and budgetary allocation.

share her experiences and honest opinions, and as

selected and could be visible today in terms of

Mary shared that in the 1970’s she was still green

it willing, and when there’s time to play they did that

camaraderie. When there’s work to do, everyone did together as well.

being a Hansard Reporter to Editor of Hansard,

She recalled that in 2005, the Fiji Parliament hosted

Secretary General. These were her best years as she

Conference which was attended by 700 delegates,

then Secretary to the House and eventually being

Parliament including the messengers, drivers and

She enjoys time at home and meets up with friends

consequential constitutional changes on existing

For her Parliament was a family, there was a lot of

onwards) she was more aware of her role, from

staff from other government ministries, all staff of

new Parliament to take into account the impact of

the Government side.”

and was just a reporter but in the 1990’s (1992

Mary said that apart from a few selected

has been Freelancing since 2007. She had served

current constitution.

going.”

Conference, second to the Australian one in all its

President, appointed the Commission.

By Commission dated 15th March 1995, HE the

not enough staff and I would get home at three and satisfaction of the job was what kept people

Commonwealth

LIFE AFTER PARLIAMENT

Mary shared that she had been involved in the three

o’clock in the morning most days but the enjoyment

attended

that he would be delighted to join the Commission.

staffing and we had to work hard to get tasks completed. We had to work overtime as there was

second-most

the

successful

Commonwealth

Parliamentary

Veremalumu also known as Mary Biggs Chapman I mulled over our conversation I was reminded of something I had read somewhere.

“One of the benefits of being a matured welleducated woman is that you are not afraid of

expletives. And you have no fear to put a fool

in his place. That’s the power of language and experience.”

-- Dame Judi Dench JULY | AUGUST 2020 19

The Belligerent Feminist Of Faith

Written by Fay Volatabu Photography by Travelling Light Photography

20 IAMWOMAN

JULY | AUGUST 2020 21

Sharon Bhagwan.... “There is a greater need for a greater investment in women’s health. To talk women’s health and women’s access to health. As women we are often so busy with keeping things under control that we forget to look after ourselves. It is really important that we give ourselves time to do that.”

Strong words from a strong woman who has spent almost her whole life advocating

on women’s issues. She emerged as a familiar face in Fiji's media landscape in the eighties and nineties and parallel to that role was her volunteer role in the women's movement stemming from the Fiji YWCA which she joined in 1986.

Her most recent role was founder of FemLINKpacific and between 2000 and 2018 she not only established Fiji and the Pacific's first mobile "suitcase" radio station but also the first rural women-led community radio station in Labasa. She developed the

innovative Women's Weather Watch which is recognised as a model for supporting

diverse women's engagement in accessing and distributing climate change and disaster updates to and from women in rural communities.

But today's conversation is one that is extremely personal. It is quite emotional for her as well. Women's health.

In all the years I have known her, this was the first time I was spending a morning to talk about her story. To ask her to share insights from her life journey.

WHO IS SHE?

She is Sharon Bhagwan–Rolles, a woman that we associate with feminism, human

rights and media. I was intrigued as well as interested not only because as the cofounder of Fiji’s first feminist community media organisation, FemLINKpacific, she

introduced the "suitcase radio" and established the organisation's Rural Women Leaders' Community Media Network but I was interested to know what had motivated her. And more so how she had dealt with the challenges in her life.

At first glance, what you encounter is a healthy woman with a bubbly personality and very captivating smile, her trademark red lipstick. And then there are her tattoos which

open a window into the persona of Sharon. If you listen hard enough too you will then hear the sound of silence, the silent story of who she is, her silent struggles and more importantly why she is the belligerent feminist woman of faith, that we see today.

22 IAMWOMAN

JULY | AUGUST 2020 23

"My mother understood my sense of feminism and she had suggested that I join the YWCA in Lautoka....." Sharon is the great grand-daughter of "Girmit'Mas" Jinki and Sukhdei. Her parents the late Benjamin Bhagwan of Vuci and Rachel Bhagwan of

Macuata were important influences in her life - her faith, her community

and her work in the media. Her paternal grandfather was Master James Bhagwan and her parents also brought together insights into the Hindu and Muslim heritage of their extended families.

Sharon had her primary education at Veiuto Primary School and started her secondary education as a form one student at Suva Grammar School before her family moved to the sugar city of Lautoka. She then attended

Drasa Avenue Primary School as a class eight or form two student. She

started her secondary education as a form three student at Lautoka’s Natabua High School and left after completing her fifth form, to complete her studies in New Zealand.

Sharon found herself back home in 1986. Which is when she joined the Fiji

YWCA as a young woman volunteer of the Lautoka YWCA and dabbled in radio broadcast events for FBC's Radio West learning from the late Yaminiasi Gaunavou who was then heading Radio West in Lautoka and

offering features on rural women leaders to Hari Gaundar of the Fiji Sun.

The 1987 coup influenced many aspects of her life and in 1988 she began working as a copywriter at the Fiji Broadcasting Commission.

Sharon would reveal in our conversation how the people in her life would be the driving force in her passion for media and feminism.

HER PASSION

The journey started before the Beijing Conference (1995). “My mother

understood my sense of feminism and she had suggested that I join the YWCA in Lautoka. I was volunteering in Lautoka and then in Suva (in 1987) and learnt about the Nairobi Conference (1985) in a publication released

by the International Tribune.” She shared that she had knowledge about

the decade for women (1985-1995) as her mother was quite involved. “I was aware of the women’s movement as my mother was involved as

she was part of the YWCA and I would also be listening to women like Bernadette Rounds Ganilau on the radio, as well as listen to the UN Women radio programs, as a 20 year old woman, a year before the first coup.”

24 IAMWOMAN

Annie and her daughter at the stall.

JULY | AUGUST 2020 25

She had access to information so she would follow

the commitments made while attending the National Council of Women (NCW ) meetings about

the outcomes of the 1985 Nairobi Conference. She was at the meetings about the establishment of the

national women’s machinery at the SSV (Soqosoqo Vakamarama I Taukei) with national women

leaders like Esiteri Kamikamica, Marama Sovaki, Adi Finau Tabakaucoro, Taufa Vakatale who played a

foundational role in the YWCA. “I was grappling to

with the fact that I needed to create a space for myself as a young non-indigenous woman.”

The 1987 coup disrupted a lot of plans and while the

interim government appointed the first Minister for

Women, these were challenging times including within the YWCA.

started as a young woman. It was more than a job. It was a passion to create content and to be part

of an industry that gets information to and from communities to what drew her to work in radio and also television.

and collaborating with the media to develop, create and distribute media content that goes beyond the "soundbyte" or Tweet. Media content, she says, goes beyond what makes the news, but more and more the need to have content that informs, educates to

transformational

change

including enabling interactive and intergenerational conversations.

FemLINKpacific's community radio network.

Sharon also revealed that the inspiration in her feminism journey were her mother as well

as the stories from her late grandmother - her Nani, Amiran. She would hear stories about the challenges and struggles of her "Girmit'Mas" the

women of the generation of indentured labourers and

their

daughters.

The

inter-generational

physical and structural violence fuelled her passion to work harder to amplify the voices of women

and help them identify the root causes of violence

and communicate the solutions. These stories or in her forearm and wrists and each of the tattoos would be symbolic of the strong women in her life.

TATTOOS

Sharon has prominent tattoos on her forearm and

about the stories about women, but also addressing

how the information and communication systems

work or do not work for women of all diversities. It has propelled her to continue to contribute to

discussions about information and communication infrastructures to the development of a community media network: “If the infrastructure is not there,

how would a young woman even participate in politics and if there are disparities in infrastructure

and abilities, how was a woman to access the information, especially

she revealed that each had a story. She pointed

out those that were the names of her children, her mother, grandmother and great grandmother. On her 40th birthday the tattoo "Daughter of God" in

Hindi script is in her mother's handwriting. “I see the

rainbow through the rain” is a line from a hymn she found with her nephew Francisco and “Rejoice You islands of the Seas” is from the Book of Psalms. Her

most recent tattoos commemorate the 10 years since she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. It

For women, she says, this has meant not only thinking

for those with diverse

disabilities.” She became aware of this from her 26 IAMWOMAN

heart of her work following the establishment of

wrists and when I asked her what the tattoos meant

Sharon believes that women must be involved in

contributes

Women's Council and YWCA and remained at the

reminders of strong women in her family areetched

Sharon’s involvement in her other passion, media,

and

early days of documenting issues of the Lautoka

represents “Life has a Celebration”

United Nations participating in the Open Debate on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. The morning news featured a

journalist's account of having a mammogram and a lumpectomy. Sharon thought that maybe the

universe was telling something. “So I had to give

myself time off to have a check up and that was when I realized I had a lump.”

Sharon shared “As women we are often so busy with

keeping things under control that we forget to look after ourselves, it is really important that we give

ourselves time to do that.” I had worked alongside

Sharon as an advocate of women’s issues, yet I

never knew the depth of her struggles, which in essence revealed the silent strength and tenacity of her character and also her desire to always keep

things under control despite what she was going through.

DEALING WITH CANCER

Sharon was diagnosed in November, 2010 and she

had her first masectomy on the 10th of December 2010. The next year 2011 was a year of chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Sharon shared that she was fortunate in that she had good support from her surgeon Dr Hong to

the current MP and Minister of Health, Dr Ifereimi

Waqainabete who administered her chemotherapy.

She was fortunate also that she had the support of friends who were able to connect her to overseas

treatment. One such friend was the Former Director

of YWCA in Fiji, Anne Walker. She was also able to pay for her treatmentbecause she had access to her superannuation or Fiji National Provident Fund

BREAST CANCER

Just like the tattoos which were etched into her

arm as a reminder of the special people in her life, Sharon’s strong will and tenacity is embedded in her persona which hide her struggles and one would never realize the enormous personal challenges she has undergone unless you were informed of it.

She shared that Pinktober is a significant time

for her and the reason for that was that she was packing to head home after several weeks at the

as well as fundraise externally

with the help of

family and friends to help her cover chemo costs and other medical expenses.

Sharon’s tenacity and will proved strong as she was able to have the first mastectomy and the

chemo treatment amidst her very busy schedule

as Executive Director of FemLink Pacific. She shared however that there were many lessons learnt while going through the treatment and she wanted to share this to other families.

JULY | AUGUST 2020 27

LESSONS LEARNT

Sharon reiterated the importance of having a good support system both at home, and externally. She

She also reflected on the need for government

services to be provided for women who had cancer.

was fortunate that she had good doctors who

She realized the challenge faced by women in her

not have medical insurance, she had finance to

available then. This would be in the form of checkups,

answered all her questions. Even though she did

cover her medical expenses and family and friends to support her whilst going through surgery and treatment cycle.

She also shared the need for survivors circle to be

prepared for the changes they will experience and for their family, friends and colleagues to be sensitive and understanding and aware of the psychological

and physiological changes that would happen after

mother’s generation as there were no services treatment and accessible information. She felt

that women in her mother’s generation would not have the necessary safe space to talk about their

health issues but with the advent of technology

and accessibility to information this could be better provided to women battling cancer or surviving cancer today.

She urged that there was a need for space to be given or patients and survivors to freely share their

She shared an incident where a church leader

talk about women’s health and women’s access to

of the lack of of awareness that makes people

enough to talk about cancer.

said was probably more painful than the treatment.

concerns. She felt that there was also a need to

commented on her weight gain. It made her aware

health and women should feel free enough or safe

journey that continues as part of the overall healing process.

hold government accountable to international

She also shared that she was determined not to

Elimination of Discrimination Against Women)

supported by her family and friends. It is helping

women’s health. For breast cancer there was a need

CEDAW

(Convention

the

be weighed down by the situation and that was

and the Platform of Action by providing more for

her deal with changes that were also happening

to have better prevention and early detention work.

to her physically due to aging, and menopause.

She went through a lot of learning about changes

“There is a lot of focus on NCD’s and cervical cancer

that would be happening to your body when you

but there has to be accountability by the state to

go through a second mastectomy as she lost her

better detection of breast cancer and other forms

“After my first mastectomy I got myself a bike to get

treatment here locally is also a cause for concern,

So I have had an elective second mastectomy.” She

like chemo or radiation treatment need to be

that would happen to your physiology as a woman

costly exercise and the state could at least provide

the impact of radiation. She had a dental x-ray

survivors.

chemotherapy. “You become very conscious about

One of the things that came through as I conversed

the changes that happen to your body.” The ability

issues that even in her darkest or lowest moment

with strong mental attitude, which she had with

have reacted if they were in the same situation so I

family and friends.

women’s issues.

had mastectomy. For her personally she had to

sense of balance with the removal of one breast. fit but when you lose one breast, your balance goes.

have services available if we are to get early and

of cancer. The fact that we don’t have radiation and if we have early detection, the medical services

also shared the need to be aware of the changes

available here.” Sharon shared this as this was a

in the different stages of menopause as well as

the treatment locally to help cancer patients and

and the dentist had shown her the extent of the your bones, knees, joints and you are conscious of

with Sharon was her passion to enhance women’s

to accept all the changes was made more possible

all she could think of were how other women would

good moral support that she received from her

asked her why she was persistent in her pursuit of

28 IAMWOMAN

where women were given the freedom to express their opinions and her father, Benjamin Bhagwan was an important mentor and his community work is how she learnt of the need to provide an

information and communication infrastructure for rural communities. Similarly her mother guided her through the maze of the women's movement, national and regional politics.

Sharon also spent time telling stories with her accounts of her childhood experiences growing up

after the indenture period has been the inspiration for her strong feminist approach to life.

not happy with the way things work we should be willing to change it.”

On Rural Women her sentiments were just as strong. “My great grandmothers were brought to work in

the cane farms - they were the backbone of the

economy. The role of women in Food Security and Agriculture is important and rural women’s lives are so critical in development planning and we

must ensure that they have services available and

information is readily available to them and that they can also access it.”

Sharon hoped that the future would be inclusive, in

the ways the power dynamics in the families were addressed, in the community where there was

DEALING WITH CHALLENGES

“Don’t feel sorry for yourself.” Like every human being

Sharon strongly felt that there was a need to conventions

Sharon shared that she had grown up in a household

Nani,her maternal grandmother, Amiran, whose

the mastectomy and treatment. Body shaming, she

comment on physical appearance rather than the

HER MOTIVATION

Sharon had low points but what kept her going was her ability to bounce back and more importantly to deal with her challenges and not dwell on them.

“I have always had family support and I have the support of friends. If something is wrong I react and

equality in decision making and equitable resource sharing where there was respect and understanding

of the other person in a relationship. “We are living

in a country and a region that needs to get better at sustaining the peace - There are different aspects

of sustaining the peace like strong and democratic systems, more inclusive systems, more equitable allocation of resources.”

release.” Sharon shared that she would find ways to

Sharon emphasized the need to strengthen the

talking about it.

to work with women leaders, traditional leaders,

release and this would be in the form of writing or

“I have conversations with my children, I talk to

people and even wrote a blog.” It was not about victimhood but about sharing her experiences.

I asked Sharon her views about the future and how

she hoped things could change for women if she had the opportunity to do so.

VIEWS ABOUT WOMEN THE FUTURE

sub-national governance level.“Government needs

faith leaders and young leaders to strengthen the governance system, divisional planning and

structures.” She stressed the need to develop

provincial plans that focused on development for all who resided in the province. “Engagements should

include women, young people and the approach

is ecumenical.” Proper resourcing and support of women’s networks so that they would effectively do their work and re-design the table approach to everything.

“There is a need for a greater investment in

She believed in having a dedicated community

women’s meaningful participation in decision

come and raise their concerns and issues so that

that Sharon’s passion for women’s issues occupied

would allow people to think about what they wanted.

status quo but be willing to re-design the table. We

accountability

women’s health and there is a need to have

time for all CSO’s (civil society organizations) to

making namely Peace and Security. It was obvious

discussions would be participatory, democratic and

most of her time. “We should not always accept the

Finally she hoped that there would be enhanced

do not have to accept the way things are. If we are

especially those impacting women.

international

commitments

JULY | AUGUST 2020 29

FUTURE PLANS

On the home front Sharon was excited about her

Even in her downtime, Sharon still dwelt on feminist

make a fabulous grandmother.”

felt that life now is about appreciating all that she

new role as an expecting grandmother. “I think I’ll

She felt that her current stage in life gave her the opportunity and time to do what she wanted to do. “I’m really enjoying writing. I’m enjoying my work on

the nexus of peacebuilding, humanitarian action

issues and despite all her personal challenges, she has- enjoying a good movie, maybe enjoying a

bottle of her favourite bubbles, trying to be more healthy and yes enjoying her curry. “I love my curry, I am my father’s daughter.”

and feminist media and communications. Being

As we ended our conversation, I felt the emotions

of content. As a communicator being able to talk

passion with more vigour and love her family and

able to produce content, and support the creation

about issues as Pacific women and that we are

not just seeing things in our country, in our region

and her love for life which made her pursue her friends with more intensity.

but in the world.” For her it is also about showing

“I really appreciate all the support and the love that

be part of leadership roles and that we bring our

and that I was so privileged to be able to afford the

the world that women from the Pacific can also

experience into global leadership as she has,

being chairperson of GPPAC (Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict) and being the regional representative of the Pacific as well as the

first Pacific woman to be the co-chair of the Global

came from my entire family, friends near and far

treatment and that I had the resources to afford the treatment so these last ten years have really been a bonus. So you have to make the most of your life and give thanks for each day you have.”

Fund for Women . Added to this were her voluntary

As I ended my conversation with Sharon I was

Ambassador (2019-2020) and Technical Adviser for

the Belligerent Feminist Woman of Faith:

roles as WACC Board Member – Pacific,World Pulse Shifting the Power Coalition.

When asked about whether she would enter politics

her response was candid. “There are different

roles in politics and right now I’m enjoying being a Feminist Peace Spin Doctor.”

reminded of a quote which I felt aptly summed up

“Sometimes in life you’re not always given a second chance but if you do, take advantage of it, and go out with a bang.” - Aquaria-

Sharon revealed that she was also studying towards a Certificate in Theology through extension studies.

"... you have to make the most of your life and give thanks for each day you have..." 30 IAMWOMAN

“My firm belief and my learning through the YWCA, is

Ms. Sharon Bhagwan Rolls

different experiences and for me as an ecumenical

• Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict

Christian faith, the theology, the bible and to be

Gender Liaison & GPPAC Pacific Regional Representative

that feminism is not secular. Feminism is about our

• Global Fund for Women: Co-chair Board of Directors

feminist, it is important to know the basis of my

(GPPAC): Board Chair, International Steering Group

able to look at it through the eyes of women-Where

(https://www.facebook.com/GPPACPacific)

feminist approach to understanding theology was

M: +679 7497169 or +679 9244871

to have conversations in the secular spaces about

Skype ID: sharonfijiislands

are the women in the bible?” For Sharon, taking a really important in society and there was a need

Landline: +6793385255

the roles of women and our faith beliefs to progress equality.

JULY | AUGUST 2020 31

The Evolving Farmer Written by Fay Volatabu Photography by Michelle Neeling

32 IAMWOMAN

JULY | AUGUST 2020 33

Seruwaia Kabuakabu.... Do you like garlic mushrooms, sauted mushrooms, stir fry oyster mushrooms, chinese chicken and mushrooms, mushroom pizzas with fresh verbs?

Just the mention of those dishes is enough to make anyone salivate and we can almost imagine the flavours of mushroom. Some of you might even ask why on earth are we talking about mushrooms as we do not even grow it here, it is expensive and is quite dangerous to eat.

What would you say if I told you that mushroom is grown her in Fiji, it takes weeks to mature and it is the best tasting source of protein that you can eat to replace meat like chicken.

Meet Seruwaia Kabuakabu, a lady from Maumi, Bau in the province of Tailevu who has now made Naitasiri her home and has been involved in Mushroom farming for the last year. How did she become involved in mushroom farming , who informed her about it, whee

does she sell herproducts and how do I get in touch with her. Before I Cn answer all those questions let us first get to know her.

INTRODUCTIONS

Seruwaia is a 44 year old mother of two and grandmother of one who has now made Waikalou village in the district of Serea her hoem for the past 6 years. SEruwaia was born in

Nausori and waseducated at the Dilkusha Girls Primary Scool before moving on to Bhawani Dayal Hih School and later Nasinu Secondary School to complete her education. She had dreams of become a gaphic artist and she studies Graphic Designing at the Government

Printery but as she jokingly said, Sa “kamusu na matani peni” ( my pen nib broke menaing she stopped studying and found other interests).

In our last special on rural women, we had highlighted Seruwaia’s group, the Naitasiri Cowgirsla dn the amazig things they were doing to help women in Naitasiri cope with the challenges of living on a dairy farm.

I was plesanty surprised when I saw Seruwaia at Suva’s Roc Market selling mushrooms. We chatted and as a result I asked her if we could share their story again through our medium as they showed the progress of a rural women’s group within a very short time.

34 IAMWOMAN

JULY | AUGUST 2020 35

WHY MUSHROOM FARMING?

“Need for Mushroom Farming” was the call from the Permanent Secretary for Agriculture when addressing participants at a training in Legalega Nadi, but I wonder if he knew that for some women in Naitasiri, this was

now a new source of livelihood and was a choice they had made to help them gain some form of income.

Seruwaia and the Naitasiri Cowgirls, as we refer to

them, are part of a funding program by the Fiji Women’s Fund. They were helped in the last round of funding but

part of the challenges they had were that they had no control over the dairy farms as often they would not

own the milking sheds even though they owned cows. This meant that developing the sheds was not an

option they could pursue as the sheds were owned by

their husbands or a collective organization. The other

problem was that the cost of milk would fluctuate and sometimes cows would not produce as they would be sick of nursing their calf. With the fluctuating milk

supply, the women’s income would also fluctuate so the Fiji Women’s Fund supported then to find another

source of income to supplement their income from selling milk.

The women were the sent on a fact finding mission to PARDI (Pacific Agribusiness Research for Development) a research center funded by the Australia Center for

International Agricultural Research to see if they could engage in other forms of farming that would benefit the women during the low peak seasons. The women came back with three options, Bee Keeping, Milk Processing and Mushroom farming.

The first two options were not very promising as the

possibility of bees attacking the cows was not a very

pleasant and the second option was a challenge as

the milk price was controlled by the shed owners and the Dairy Farmers Association so any development on the milk sheds would require the concurrence of the

shed owners. The third option was mushroom farming so the women opted for that as it did not require any legal negotiation or any harm to their primary product, the cows.it was decided that two women from each of the Naitasiri Dairy Cattle farms would be sent for training. The 12 women were part of the 31st group to

be trained in Legalega, Nadi and they went through the processes of mushroom planting, harvesting and packaging, and after graduating they were given 500 Laisa at the 2019 FPRA Awards. Image: Sharon Levula

36 IAMWOMAN

seedlings to plant.

JULY | AUGUST 2020 37

MUSHROOM FARMING

Even though the women were taught the basics of oyster mushroom farming, like every new

thing, there were challenges and some of the initial plants were not so successful. The women tried again and now a smaller number of plants were given so the women started their planting again. It would normally three weeks for the initial planting and a mushroom plant could be

used three times before it would wither and die. Seruwaia revealed that once a mushroom

plant was ready it would take seven days for a plant to be nurtured and ready for harvest. It

could be planted in a three meter by two meter area and you could literally watch from the

pinning stage (when the mushroom shoot appears), and it would grow larger to a button until it enlarged to a mushroom.

It would then be sold at the markets that Seruwai would have contacted. She would travel to

Suva on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to sell the fresh mushrooms. Mushroom should take three days to move from the pinning stage to a full mushroom. If mushrooms were not harvested at the right time they would be hard so the women would harvest and have them

dried, seal packed and sold at the Roc market or any other markets which Seruwaia or any of the ladies would attend in Suva. Seruwaia revealed that after three harvests a mushroom

would wither so they would clear their garden and use the old mushroom as manure while they prepared to plant another new batch of mushroom cuts given from Legalega.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Today there are more then 20 women involved in planting and they are scattered over five

areas namely Serea, Nabaitavo, Daulevu,Lomaivuna and the fifth is a settlement outside any of the village boundaries. The women involved are of different ages and abilities and there is

a woman living with disability who is part of a group in Nabaitavo and they call themselves

Duibana (loosely translated to different branches). They are not dairy farmers but are involved in horticulture. The youngest person in the group is a Class three student who helps out but the youngest farmer is a class eight student. She has now been given her own plot and now

she has 50 plants. She has already harvested mushrooms and her money is banked for her savings.

INCOME

The Naitasiri Dairy Farmers have now been involved in mushroom farming for almost a year

now and it has proven to be a very profitable option to their dairy farming. Seruwaia revealed that the lowest amount that a woman could gain is $30 for a bag and they could gain an

estimate of $3000 in three months. Seruwaia has been is able to purchase household items like straw mat, blender, pots and even a stove through mushroom farming but income from her later harvest is targeted for renovations to her home. Her husband shared that the cultivation of mushroom was beneficial to them as it was helping out in family finances. Seruwaia was

more happy with the idea of having her own money to buy things for herself and be financially independent.

Seruwaia mentioned that when they started it was difficult to get markets but now they have a steady market. They were also steadily supplying mushrooms to the Grand Pacific Hotel and

Holiday Inn before the CORVID pandemic but now the supplies have decreased. They now receive orders through their facebook page Naitasiri Women in Dairy.

38 IAMWOMAN

JULY | AUGUST 2020 39

BENEFITS OF MUSHROOM FARMING

Apart from the financial benefits the benefits of mushroom farming is that it is not time consuming. Caring for the mushrooms would only take a farmer fifteen minutes in the morning

and fifteen minutes in the afternoon once the initial crop was planted.The whole family could

be part of the farming and Seruwaia’s husband and daughter have now become a very supportive farmhands as the work is not too time consuming. from the province to provide more workshops or for schools to show the benefits of eating mushroom.

Some say that eating muhroom is like eating chicken and is a good protein source. It has anti oxidants and cleans the body of toxins that can cause heart disease or cancer. Mushrooms are low in calories, fat free, cholesterol free, gluten free and low in sodium. It is also known

that increasing consumption of oyster mushrooms appears to decrease the risk of obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease and increases the immunity system of body.

Eating mushrooms is good for the digestive system and controls NCD’s (Non Communical

diseases ) and your high blood pressure. It is also advised to cook mushrooms to best preserve

their nutritional benefits and eating at least five buttons of mushroom is also good to reduce

the risk of neurological illness. With all the benefits to the women farmers and to consumers one wonders then why mushroom farming is still not promoted as a major source of food and a viable income generating option.

APPRECIATION

Seruwai and the Naitasiri Women in Dairy have realized the benefits and they are appreciative to the Fiji Women’s Fund, The Ministry of Agriculture, PARDI and their buyers for the initial support of their mushroom farming.

She is thankful to Minister Reddy for donating a container for them to do farming as this would enable them to have a controlled environment for the initial farming.

She is however calling for more support and is hopeful that the government could help in

the cultivation and provision of mushroom plants before they are taken to farms as this is a scientific process that requires research, cultivation and technical support

from the

government. Currently this is being done by overseas scientific experts and she hopes that it will also be done by local experts should the overseas support ends.

THE FUTURE

Seruwaia hopes to have more women trained and she has already stared in sharing information. She was invited to a Tailevu Women’s Provincial Meeting and now women in Tobuniqio, a

"The dream: is to have the mushrooms properly packaged, sealed and exported with our brand label on it..." 40 IAMWOMAN

village in the Tailevu province are also planting. Suwaia has dreams of exporting “The dream:

is to have the mushrooms properly packaged, sealed and exported with our brand label on it.” They have been involved in dairy farming and now have diversified into mushroom farming

and if their current experience is anything to go by, I’m sure the dream can be achieved by the Naitasiri Women in Dairy.

JULY | AUGUST 2020 41

50 YEARS OF FIJI

FIJI DAY SPECIAL

ANASEINI QIONIBARAVI

LAVANIA AH KOY

ESITERI KAMIKAMICA

ADI VASITI NAIVALUVOU TOGANIVALU

Senator

Secretary General Parliament

First Indigenous Union President/

Educator Academic/ First Indigenous Head of School USP

PC: Wikipedia

PC: National Archives of Fiji

First Local Graduate USP

PC: Supplied

PC: mapio.net

MARY CHAPMAN

IRENE JAI NARAYAN

LAISA VULAKORO

SR GENEVIEVE LOO

Secretary General Fiji Parliament

Opposition Leader NFP

Singer/Song Writer

Educator

PC: National Archives of Fiji

PC: fijisun.com.fj

PC: Travelling Light Photography

42 IAMWOMAN

PC: Navneet Narayan

JULY | AUGUST 2020 43

50 YEARS OF FIJI

FIJI DAY SPECIAL

44 IAMWOMAN

SULIANA SIWATIBAU

JENNY SEETO

DR MERE SAMISONI

LT-COLONEL SILIVA VANANALAGI

Botanist/Political Activist

Auditor/Finance

Business Owner/Politician

Fiji Military Army/Chief Observer Group Golan

PC: naturefiji.org

PC: fijimediation.org

PC: Hot Bread Kitchen

PC: fijisun.com.fj

CHERIE WHITESIDE

SANDHYA NAND

MARYANN MA’AFU-MOSS

MAKERETA WAQAVONVONO

Fashion Designer

Pioneering Model/Photographer/TV Presenter

Body Builder

Magistrate/Legal Practioner

PC: Supplied

PC: stellamag.com

PC: Face Book Fiji Bodybuilding Fitness

PC: Fiji Times

JULY | AUGUST 2020 45

50 YEARS OF FIJI

FIJI DAY SPECIAL

REV SEREIMA LOMALOMA

SHAMIMA ALI

CAPTAIN SELAI SAUMI

UNA VUNIWAQA

First Pacific Island indigenous Priest Anglican Church

Political Activist/ Head of Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre

Captain Boeing 737

First Female Police Commissioner UNMISS

PC: Rob Rickman

PC: rnz.co.nz

PC: spc.int

PC: fijivillage.com

SAINIMILI TURNER

PENI MOORE

ADI IRIE NACOLA

ANJALA WATI

Powerlifter

Feminist/Activist/First Coordinator of Fiji Women’s Rights Movement

Photographer

High Court Judge

PC: I AM WOMAN

PC: Fiji Government

PC: Fiji Powerlifting Federation Facebook

PC: You Tube WAC 46 IAMWOMAN

JULY | AUGUST 2020 47

50 YEARS OF FIJI

FIJI DAY SPECIAL

JOSIE CRICK

DR JIKO LUVENI

MERE RODEN

Visila Lagilagi

Artist/Painter

Dentist/Politician/First Speaker of Parliament

First Sports Woman with Disability/

First Professional Boxer

PC: Supplied

PC: insidethegames.biz

Olympian/ SPG Gold Medallist PC: Candace Veramu

JANEY LILO KING

NAITASIRI WOMEN IN DAIRY

MERE SWAN & ELENI NAULIVOU

ATECA RAVUVU

Chef/Restaurant Owner

Women in Dairy/Farming

Construction Builders

Dancer/Choreographer/Drama

PC: You Tube ACIAR

PC: Navneet Narayan

PC: Maraia Tongavalu

Teacher/Actress PC: Supplied

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JULY | AUGUST 2020 49

50 YEARS OF FIJI

FIJI DAY SPECIAL

JILL MAKARITA BAUMURI

MARAIA WATIDREDRE

TAUFA VAKATALE

IMRANA JALAL

Deaf Parliamentary Interpreter

Firewoman

First Woman DPM & Acting PM/

International Human Right Activist

PC: Maraia Toganivalu

PC: Supplied

Diplomat

PC: promundoglobal.org

PC: coupfourandahalf.com

50 IAMWOMAN

TULS

CAPTAIN SUSANA BALEKANA

NAZAAT SHAMEEM

DR LAISA NAIVALULEVU

Professional Shoeshiner

Sea Captain

High Court Judge/ UN Diplomat

First Indigenous Doctor/ SPG Gold Medallist

PC: Adi Nacola

PC: Supplied

PC: genderchampions.com

PC: Adi Cakobau School Old Girls Facebook

JULY | AUGUST 2020 51

50 YEARS OF FIJI FIJI DAY SPECIAL

WALKABOUT BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING: THE CHANGING ROLES OF WOMEN In this issue’s Walkabout column we have kept to the 50 years of independence theme by highlighting the changing roles of women over the last 50 years. Since 1985 when the World Conference on Women was held in Nairobi, there has been a steady and conscientious effort to have women participating in all sectors and spheres of work. Women have moved away from the traditional nurturing and caring roles of mother, nurse, teacher to more dynamic roles which highlight the strength, knowledge and potential of a woman to equally access opportunities in the employment sector. Over the fifty years of independence in Fiji, the roles of women in parliament have also shiftedfrom nominated members of parliament to now more then 10 women elected in parliament with one woman being Speaker of the House, women holding ministerial portfolios in government,

MERE VARO

ILLSAPECI MATATOLU

First Lady Roko Fijian Affairs Board

First Regional Manager Fiji Visitors Bureau

PC: Supplied

a woman as Leader of Opposition and a woman as Opposition Whip. In other spheres of work, women have challenged the stereotypes and taken on various roles that would not have been possible or even heard of more then 50 years ago. As a special tribute to women in Fiji we highlight some of the changing roles of women in the last 50 years. We have come a long way in Fiji and we have tried to ensure that the Beijing Platform of Action was applied in our local setting through the Fiji Platform of Action. We have acknowledged the voices of all women everywhere and taking note of the diversity of women and their roles and circumstances (Beijing Platform of Action Annex 1:4) Additionally we have ensured women’s empowerment and their full participation on the basis of equality in all spheres of society, including participation in the decision-making process and access to power, are fundamental for the achievement of equality, development and peace ( Beijing Platform of Action Annex 1:13) This translated locally into the increase of women’s participation in formal sector and the increase of women’s representation at all levels of government and civil society organizations We hope that as you continue to celebrate Fiji’s 50 years of independence, you will also salute

AMELIA ROKOTUIVUNA

ADI SAMANUNU CAKOBAU TALAKULI

Feminist/Activist

Senator/First woman Diplomat

PC: Supplied

PC: fijivillage.com

52 IAMWOMAN

the efforts made by women in Fiji to keep on challenging themselves by taking on new roles that challenge stereotypes and hopefully break the glass ceiling for future generations. In the next couple of pages we view some of these changing roles and the women who have been at the forefront of these glass breaking moves.

JULY | AUGUST 2020 53

SME

I & G INVESTMENTS

I & G INVESTMENTS Written by Lorraine Foster Photography by Vijesh Datt

I CAN DO IT In the last few years Fiji has seen an increase in small and medium size businesses and when COVID-19 occurred there seem to be a heightened surge of informal small businesses as was evident on social media and visibly in the various markets opening up around Fiji. COVID also bought about closure of small and medium businesses due to the economic and financial downfall of income earners which was felt globally. Gabriella Rose Wong, a small business owner is no exception and she has been through the highs and lows of running a small business. Married with one daughter and a little one on the way, and she is of mixed Indigenous Fijian and Chinese heritage. Her academic background is in business, specifically Human Resources and Industrial Relations and her work experience is quite diverse as she has worked in the medical field, in clothes manufacturing, in the bank and the tourism industry. These various work experiences have assisted her in gaining knowledge about the expectations of running a business.

STARTING OF I & G INVESTMENTS

Upon joining Leadership Fiji, Gabriella was inspired to venture out and start her own business. I & G Investments opened in 2017 with no specific objectives on what the company focus would be. Her innovative husband Ivan, studied the market and looked at what their passion was. Both husband and wife had a passion for driving and a mutual interest in cars and trucks and literally anything to do with mechanics. One Saturday afternoon, Ivan spotted a 2-tonne truck with a 600kg capacity and they decided that was it. Gabriella learnt how to drive the heavy-duty truck and today she is one of the few women that has a dangerous goods license and she is able to handle dangerous goods such as gas, chemicals, fuels etc. I & G Investments is now a Cartage and Freight business and their services is not only limited to the Suva area. They provide services from town to town within Fiji. Below are the many services they provide: - House to house movements - Office relocation of furniture including assembly and removal - Pick-up and delivery of hardware items - Collection, organising delivery logistics of various items for events, inter-island and export shipping and flights - White and green waste clearing and dumping - Availability of porters to help loading and offloading - Providing consultancy services to chemical and water treatment companies as well as home management services in immigration and other assistance

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SME

I & G INVESTMENTS NOW

The company is now based at Wainidoi and they currently have four staff. Customers include anyone

ADVICE TO YOUNG WOMEN LEAVING SCHOOL AND LOOKING FOR A CAREER

“Do both if you can! Put yourself in your shoes 10 years from now and picture what you believe you'd like to

and everyone in need of moving furniture, office or wanting to get rid of waste. When COVID-19 happened,

try, and do it. Plan out the steps to get there. Sometimes it is slow and sometimes it is fast. Get mentoring

Gabriella was forced to limit her movements. “This is something I am not used to. I am always on the go and

from the right people and do it. You have one life. Live your life! Step up when you face a new challenge! Take

seeing the truck collect dust made my head go crazy!” Before COVID, industries like construction was going

every problem as a challenge to mature and grow. The idea of being a "woman" should not be the focus. Be

well but COVID bought about less spending and business was affected as the truck sat idle. Gabriella and

happy and I believe you can do it”

her husband waited it out until movement became less restrictive and now business is slowly picking up.

CHALLENGES FACED

OPINION ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND RAPE IN FIJI

“Domestic violence and rape should never ever be accepted! My motto when driving is safety first. If the

When Gabriella got pregnant with her first born, she decided to leave work and look after baby and the

problem comes to you, train yourself to be ready. I never open the door until my senses relax. These two

business. She became bored and questioned the idea of leaving a good full-time job that she had worked in

issues are currently on the rise so please educate yourself and the next generation whether boy or girl, young

for eleven years to build a good professional career.

or old. These two issues are caused by humans so as neighbours to these beasts, educate them before it is too late”

Gabrielle shared that starting the trucking business was hard and limited earnings began to take a toll but for Gabriella, she had to take the challenge to motivate herself and her family so that they could make the trucking business a success.

OPINION ON SOCIAL MEDIA

“Social media shold be about online safety. Do not share personal information with anyone you do not know. Read and learn about the ways to control it before it controls you! Remember the little device your holding

The added challenge during the COVID crisis, is the challenge of expanding the business which is hard work

has an aim to change your ideas or views about people or things. Do not fall victim. Stay and think ahead”.

and time consuming. Gabriella says “the challenge I face is balancing time for myself and my loved ones. We live in a digital age so I no longer visit loved one as time is crucial to manage”.

As we ended our chat I concluded that there are always challenges in small businesses but they are the basis for innovation in any economy. We encourage all to buy from small businesses if you can because you

“My life revolved around sports for 20 plus years and it has developed my positive mindset. This I feel gives

will be helping an individual business owner look after her/his family through hard work.

me confidence in what I do every day whether driving or at home. If you ever want to change and improve from who you were, change what you are doing. In no time will you see things and people around you

There is a quote that best describes Gabriella – “Small business isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s for the brave,

change, and respect you a little bit more.”

the patient and the persistent. It’s for the OVERCOMER”. To contact I & G Investments, you can look them up on Face Book, Twitter and Instagram.

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BSP Life’s $7 million Voivoi Project to Create Economic Activity in Nadi BSP Life launched its $7 million Voivoi Development project with a ground-breaking ceremony in Nadi on 30th October 2020. The event was officiated by the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) Governor, Mr. Ariff Ali. BSP Life Managing Director, Mr. Michael Nacola said, “Despite

the challenges posed by COVID-19, BSP Life continues to progress its planned investments and in doing so assist our country’s economic recovery.”

“This project adds to our already strong and diversified $787 million investment portfolio. The development will have a mix of warehouses and office spaces. Local suppliers have

been engaged and the development is expected to employ around 150 Fijians over the

project duration. Given the significant impact COVID-19 has had on Tourism, this investment could help boost economic activity for the Nadi region.”

“We also hope that this development will encourage local and foreign investors to move

planned projects from shovel ready status to shovel moving status”, added Mr Nacola, as

he made a call to attending decision makers to support local investment. “New projects mean new jobs, incomes generated, increased spending, and positive flow-on effects that can accelerate our economic recovery. This is a great time to invest given the ready supply of labour and reduced cost of materials.”

“BSP Life has great confidence in our country’s ability to recover from setbacks. Our country is resilient and our people are resilient, so let’s do what we can as leaders in the private

sector to drive activity that supports our recovery.” Mr Nacola also stated that BSP Life’s investment portfolio increased by $22 million in the last 10 months. While COVID-19 has

had some impact, the portfolio’s well diversified nature, built over many years with prudent management, has provided resilience to withstand economic shocks.

“We thank our customers for their continued loyalty to BSP Life. Their contribution by way of premiums on their life insurance policies allows us to make these investments, assisting

our country to grow. They will share in the returns from this and all other investments in our

portfolio. As individuals it is difficult to make large investments of this nature but together, through pooling of funds via life insurance policies, we can do so and make a difference.”

Mr Nacola urged more Fijians to take up life insurance to protect their loved ones from

unplanned events like COVID-19, as well as have another source of savings to supplement their Fiji National Provident Fund. By having a BSP Life Insurance policy, customers become policyholders that share in the company’s secure and fast-growing investment portfolio.

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FINA NCE

IMPORTANCE OF AN EFFECTIVE

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO WHY DO WE INVEST?

Some of us who are financially able to put aside funds for investments whether it is on a regular basis or a one-off payment, have the expectation that the investment will earn a return or grow in value over time with minimum financial risk.

With unpredictable economic situations and other social factors, an intellectual outlook on what the

investment is about and who you are investing with is important. In Fiji before you invest, it is vital that you get accurate information on the investment portfolio of the company you wish to invest in.

WHAT IS AN INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO?

An investment portfolio is a diverse collection of assets and investments in various sectors/industries that an investing company has built, to earn the highest return for the least risk for their clients. A strong investment portfolio is formed over time with expert technical knowledge, understanding of the various industries and good effective and efficient management.

INVESTING IN INSURANCE

In Fiji a common investment for most of us is a Life Insurance Policy where premium payments are affordable due to regular payments being deducted from your wages. It is evident that there are many Insurance companies that are offering different types of policies but the question you need to ask is do they have a sound investment portfolio that you can depend on, to earn a good and safe return that will grow in value with minimum risk for your benefit?

BSP COMPANY

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F I N AN C E BSP LIFE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

The BSP Life brand within the BSP family has one of the most diversified investment portfolios in Fiji and ensures that their policyholders have secured future benefits.

Notable sectors of BSP Life investment Portfolio [Refer Pie Chart Below] • Tourism & Hospitality – 33% • Manufacturing & Processing – 20% • Consumer Goods – 16%) • Commercial Development – 11% • Financial – 8% • Medical – 7% • Health Insurance – 3% • Telecom & Media – 2%

MAJOR PROPERTY INVESTMENTS • BSP Life Centre - 9 storey retail and office complex in Suva • Parade Building - 5 storey retail and office complex in Suva • 66 Victoria Parade - MacDonald’s in Suva • Central Street Building - 4 storey retail and office complex in Suva • Pacific House - 7 storey retail and office complex in Suva • Marks House - 3 storey office complex in Suva • ASCO Motors – Warehouse in Nadi • Pacific Energy Building – Warehouse in Nadi. • Wailoaloa – 5-acre freehold property in Nadi (mixed retail development). • Martintar – 1-acre freehold property in Nadi (mixed retail development). • Voivoi Commercial Lots – 16-acre leasehold property for commercial development in Legalega, Nadi (stage 2) • The Domain – 15 residential apartment (gated) in Suva • 65 Richards Road – 3-acre residential property in Suva

MAJOR INVESTMENTS (3-5 YEARS)

Today in Fiji, BSP Company is one of the largest institutional Investors and they have been in operation for over 140 years with current staffing of over 3,000 employees. With a total investment portfolio valued at $787 million (September 2020) of combined assets, this company can withstand changing economic situations and challenges in different environments. Some of the major investments undertaken in recent years are as follows: 1. Major refurbishment work at the Sofitel Resort & SPA - $46 million 2. Acquisition of 16-acre land for commercial development (Voivoi Stage 2) in Legalaga, Nadi – $33 million 3. 6.75% shares in Vision Investments Limited - $11 million 4. 15% shares in Port Denarau Marina Limited - $7.6 million 5. Investment in Oceania Hospital Pte Limited - $7.2 million 6. Development of residential apartments at “The Domain” - $11 million 7. Acquisition of 4 Industrial Lots at Voivoi Stage 1 - $3.0 million 8. Acquisition of 5-acre freehold land Wailoaloa Property - $5.0 million 9. 1-acre property in Martintar, Nadi for mixed retails development - $2.7 million 10. TOA Property for FFL - $1.8 million

This year 2020 has been particularly challenging for all of us with the existence of COVID-19 therefore it is vital to think of your future by saving and investing early. When you invest in BSP Life you are rest assured that your investments are in capable hands of experts. You are also investing to create economic activities and employment and being part of the continued growth of BSP Life Investment portfolio. After all, you will receive future benefits through the returns from the investment portfolios.

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C L I M A TE C H ANGE

WOMEN IN THE FOREFRONT OF CLIMATE CHANGE Written by Lorraine Foster

GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate Change has been a concern for governments for years now and world leaders have tried to come together to deal with this man-made phenomenon by signing Agreements and

implementing laws and policies within their countries. However there are developed countries that continue to ignore signs, and industries within their countries are still guilty of high carbon

emmissions producing and polluting the air and environment. There are also some world

leaders who believe that climate change is a myth or is used as an excuse to shut down certain industries?

CLIMATE CHANGE IN FIJI

There is so much hype about HOW climate change is affecting us but what about WHO it affects

In Fiji, lack of ownership of rural land for some women due to Fiji being a largely patriarchal

– WOMEN. During periods of uncertainty, challenges and instability, violence towards women

and policies are predominantly made by men sometimes indicate a biased view-point. Women

families.

are part of the decision making and leadership mechanism speciafically in the home,in the

the most? With Climate Change and COVID, there is a vulnerable group that is affected the most

society makes women’s rights and decision making a challenge. The fact that laws, decisions

is escalated and despite all that they go through, women still try to continue to look after their

in Fiji make up almost 50% of the total population in Fiji, therefore it is important that women

Globally the rural areas are mostly affected when hurricanes, cyclones, droughts, floods and

communities and in other decision-making bodies, and even in government.

other environmental catastrophes happen, making it harder for the women to diligently care for

Ownership of land for women is important as it gives them economic independence and also

children are vulnerable and problems like sexual and domestic violence, human trafficking and

families. As a small developing country, in a tropical zone, Fiji is one of the vulnerable countries

their households. As access to food, water and shelter becomes more difficult, women and young

because they would be able to utilise the land effectively for food, security and income for their

other social hardships become more prevalent.

adversely affected by climate change, and when disasters happen, most rural areas are badly

Climate Change becomes an agents for reduction of resources, be it food or land, so women

now an urgent issue in certain maritime islands as it reduces fish numbers and the availability

people today than ever before in recorded history and the sad part about this is that most of the

to go out further to sea to get fish and other food sources. The rising sea levels also affects the

affected as house structures are unabale to withstand the forces of nature. Rising sea level is

have to work harder to put food on the table. Research also shows that there are more displaced

of other seafood resources. This reducation puts an extra burden on our rural women who have

areas they relocate to, are hostile and the areas they live in are unhealthy and unsafe.

availability of clean drinking water and women have to travel further inland to find and carry

According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), gender-based

water for home usage.

violence and exploitation increases as resources dwindle and land becomes increasingly

In some smaller South Pacific Island countries, rising sea levels are a real threat and for some,

and governments must ensure that policies and laws affecting climate change must be gender

take climate change seriously. Governments in these islands are pressured to come up with

uninhabitable, due to the intenses climate change. Climate change affects all genders differently

the next few years, will see some of the vulnerable islands under sea level if we continue to not

sensitive to avoid further discrimination of women, children and other marginalised groups.

ideal solutions as there is a real need to evacuate their people.

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C L I M A TE C H ANGE

THE RESILIENCE OF WOMEN IN CLIMATE CHANGE

THE SAD REALITY

up and in some countries women are seen to be gathering strength to continue to survive. With

continue to control world economics and industries, still disregard the plight of poor vulnerable

Despite the struggles and challenges that climate change has created, women have not given the financial assistance of global funders and Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s), women are

beginning to adopt good practises like producing food for sustainability and with hard work and resilience they are able to provide for their families.

Women Environmentalists are getting world-wide recognition as they become voices for

women and climate change. With the effective assistance of media, women’s voices are a

constant reminder to our world leaders to do something about climate change. In Fiji we have

a young advocate, AnnMary Raduva who has gained world recognition in her work for climate change and has done many activities to create an awareness for climate change. However, she

cannot do it alone and we as a nation must come together to contribute positively to keep our environment clean and safe.

In Fiji today, we have Non Government Organizations (NGOs) and CSOs that are empowering our women about their rights and women are now being recognised for their leadership qualities

by being on Government Boards and holding senior decision-making positions in Commercial Companies. The political scene is slowly changing as more women get into Parliament and it does not matter which side of parliament they sit – their voices are being heard. It is hoped

that laws, policies and processes will be more gender sensitive as women must have an equal

However as life carries on, the movers and shakers of this world, the big developed countries that small nations. Their disregard and continued acts of industrialization continue to affect the developing countries that bear the brunt of mother earth’s anger through climate change.

The sad truth is that the signing of world agreements and meetings and other verbal gestures are NOT enough to impact climate change and solve the environmental problem. Funds can be

channelled to countries that badly need financial assistance to combat climate change and all countries must take positive action to lessen the economic problems brought about by climate change. This is a basic human right and this means that all genders must be considered equally.

For countries that have been given financial assistance like Fiji, financial resources must be effectively and efficiently utilized and decision made regarding interventions should consider all ages and genders. Transparency and accountability should also be of prime importance so

funders and donors are assured that their funds are being channelled to all citizens and priority areas.

As Global citizens we must all contribute positively towards climate change – IT IS A COLLECTIVE EFFORT.

standing in society today. This will minimise discrimination against women and reduce genderbased violence in all situations.

As the world slowly recognises the worth of women in decision making roles, there is an increase of political leadership in developed countries and we acknowledge Prime Minister Jacinda Arden

for being elected again as Prime Minister of New Zealand. Having more women in leadership would mean that more women perspectives on issues that affect us would be the norm and currently, the impact of climate change on women is an important issue that needs more gender input.

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FOO D TI ME When you walk through the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) Plaza you will find nestled amongst the boutiques a little café. When you look in through the huge glass windows your attention is drawn to the glaring HOPE sign in the middle of the shop but as you turn your gaze left you will find an assortment of pastries, salads and organic health food. I had wandered in one morning as I was told by friends to

Sun Smiles Cafe Photography by Michelle Neeling

check out their smoothies and banana bread. I ended up having more then a smoothie. I also spoke to proprietor Akanisi Namakadre who is also an Australian trained nurse now on her third year with the Health Department of the SDA Church and first year with the HOPE Clinic. Akanisi or Aggie as most know her by exchanged her scrubs a the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney and other lucrative and highly paid nursing jobs to follow God’s calling in Fiji. She now works with the HOPE Ministry in their HOPE Clinic. The Sun Smiles Café was the pharmacy and it started from the concept of healing and giving people healthy food options as opposed to drugs. We had a Q & A session with Aggie and here is what she had to say.

WHO OWNS IT?

Sun Smiles Café is owned by Mili Mataika and Myself. We are sole partners of the Café. The concept behind it’s setup is to operate alongside the Wellness Center or Clinic of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Fiji. The Café is to raise awareness in the community that good healthy plant-based food is the solution to a healthy lifestyle and is an integral part of Lifestyle Medicine (The real Pharmacy).

HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CAFÉ SEEING THAT YOU HAVE A FULL TIME JOB? We employ two full time staff. Sanaila Vakalalavanua and Timaleti Savou. Both Mili and I motivated the setup of the Café. We had to adjust to a small space and enable all our operations from that. We both have our individual experiences and we’ve put that into our café, Mili looked at the equipment and what is workable for her as the main chef and our staff, I looked at the image of the café colors, interior deco as well it’s operations. 68 IAMWOMAN

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FOOD TIME WHAT DO YOU SERVE AT THE CAFÉ?

Everything we sell at the Café is Plant-Based, our meals are served around midday every day. Our smoothies are served with Soy Milk only or natural water. All our meals are made to cater what we are about and that is to promote healthy eating and food as medicine. Rainbow Salad, Couscous and Nama salad have been popular. Fungus with rice noodles have been a favorite. As for our drinks the Blueberry Smoothie has been very popular. We don’t sell coffee or tea but Co Boi (lemon grass), Draunimoli ( lemon leaf), Coconut Vanilla or Coconut Ginger is a daily purchase. Our Combo meals are $10.00 and any salad is $5 per. We don’t have daily specials as our prices are very reasonable and lower than an average café considering you’re eating daily freshly made meals and drinks.

WHEN DO YOU OPEN?

We open at 0900 and close at 1600 – Monday to Thursday and close at 1400 on Fridays. We also close on Sabbath and Sunday.

DO YOU DO DELIVERIES?

We have not done any deliveries nor catering. We will consider that avenue in the future but two months into this operation there is a lot of room for improvement and to go down that path.

WHO DOES THE COOKING?

I bake the breads and muffins at times. Senimili Mataika our main chef prepares the pastries and the main meals every day. Our workers Sanaila and Tima or( Paulie) as we know her also help out with the baking and the vegetable patties.

WHAT IS THE FUTURE FOR SUN SMILE CAFÉ?

Our dream for Sun Smiles is that it will continue to play it’s part in the fight against NCD and to support the Ministry of Health in helping people reverse their diseases through healthy eating. Food and Nutrition is one aspect of Lifestyle Medicine. We believe if we educate and promote healthy eating through our café then it will be a ripple effect for all those who have come, been treated at the clinic, eaten and left satisfied and more. Our bodies are build up from the food we eat. There is a constant breaking down of the tissue of the body: every movement of every organ involves waste, and this waste is repaired from our food. Each organ of the body requires its share of nutrition. The brain must be supplied with its portion; the bones, muscles, and nerves demand theirs. It is a wonderful process that transforms the food into blood and uses this blood to build up the varied parts of the body; but this process is going on continually, supplying with life and strength each nerve, muscle, and tissue. (The Ministry of Healing, Pg122).

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TINY S TEP S

"A bag of clothes was on stand-by for when she had to go to the hospital . . " Most new couples or partners look forward to having a family and there is always excitement when the mother of the house becomes pregnant. Pregnancy invokes happiness with a mixture of uncertainty and anxiety. Pregnancy is a special time for mothers and must be enjoyed by all members of the family. A happy and calm environment is ideal for

the mother and the little life growing inside of her. Research shows that anxiety, anger, negativity of the pregnant mother will make labour more painful.

Giving birth for each woman is truly a unique experience that stays with you for the rest

of your life and if it is your first birth, the anxiety and excitement intensifies. The secret is to

remain calm, continue to eat healthy, do your breathing exercise and be happy. We spoke to a mother of four boys whose ages range from eight years old to 25 years old. The love within the family was evident and it was clear who was the boss of the house. Sara clearly remembers the birth of each of her children and at times got emotional when she shared her experience with us.

Sara still remembers giving birth to her eldest boy and recalls vividly how she felt emotionally and physically. “I was so frightened and tried not to eat too much because I was told that baby would grow big and would be hard to come out and I will have a lot of

stitches. I was getting heavy by the day and really thought that my stomach would burst open”.

Sara was lucky as her husband was a medical practitioner and kept a close check on his

wife. He made sure she ate the right food and drank lots of water. He taught her breathing exercises and pushed her to do daily exercises. He was always by her side and kept talking

to her and assuring her everything would be fine. This type of positivity and love helped Sara to prepare mentally to give birth.

GIVING BIRTH! Written by Lorraine Foster Photography by Adi Nacola

A bag of clothes was on stand-by for when she had to go to the hospital and everything

seemed to be planned perfectly. It was the waiting that was a bit irritating and as the contractions got stronger and closer together, time was close. “My water bag broke at

about 2.30am and I woke up my husband. Half asleep he got up and we got into the car and drove to the hospital. I was doing my breathing exercise and my Doctor was already

waiting for me at the hospital. I checked in and was comfortable and looking forward to giving birth. So far everything perfect. My labour pains were painful and lasted about three hours and my breathing exercise eased the pain somewhat. My Doctor kept checking and

she then said it was time. I was so excited and so was my husband as I got wheeled into the operating room”.

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TI N Y STE P S

“I now could feel baby’s head and the Doctor then told me to push gently.. . " “I now could feel baby’s head and the Doctor then told me to push gently. I could literally feel baby coming out and Doctor kept on instructing me to push and so forth. All of a sudden I felt

his head outside of me and within minutes his whole body followed. My baby was born and this sense of relief, love and motherhood overcame me. As baby’s airway was being cleared a slight

slap on his bum incited him to give his first cry. I turned to my husband who was now crying and trying to guise his emotions as our baby’s umbilical cord was cut. Baby was then given to me and we both cherished this moment”.

“But there was still so much happening and the Doctor told me that I had to deliver the placenta

which came with mild contractions and I had to push again. Any remaining fragments of the placenta had to be removed from my uterus to prevent infection. I was now done. I was a bit upset with my husband for forgetting to tell me this part. But everything went okay”.

“The nurses cleaned me and I then was wheeled to my room to rest and feed baby. I was a happy mum and asked my husband for baby’s clothes and some sanitary pads as I was still bleeding a bit. He then realised that he had forgotten the bag at home in the excitement of my

water bag breaking and him being half asleep. After I had sworn at him with all the swears I

knew, my poor husband rushed back home to get the bag. Everything worked out well in the end and I only had a few stitches and went home a day after giving birth”.

“The birth of my other three sons were all different experiences and I embraced each birth with love. I was lucky to have such a loving husband and family to support me. It made the pain bearable and today I count myself lucky that God has given me a beautiful family.”

“To all new mothers, I advise you to enjoy your pregnancy and look forward to giving birth. It is

our gift as women to produce life. Do it with pride. Do not be afraid of the pain and think of your child being bought into the world. Embrace all of this.”

“For those solo mothers, you are strong to carry baby with you for nine months. Therefore you were never alone and it is a gift given to us women to produce life. Please embrace it. You are now not alone as you have a human being to love and look after. You can do it”.

As I listened to this heart felt story of a mother’s experience of giving birth, I leave you with a quote “A miracle is really the only way to describe motherhood and giving birth” – Jennie Finch.

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FI TN ES S

YOGA SHOULDER STRETCH Written by Ana Kaloucava Photography by Jacquelynn Fatafehi

SHOULDER OPENER

Hello Friends!! In this issue of I AM WOMAN, our fitness issue will be focus on good yoga stretches that can help you with your

body ache. Yoga is an approach to life that cultivates health and well-being (physical, emotional, mental, and

social). There is a regular practice of yoga that has a range of many different techniques, including postures

and movements, breath awareness and breathing exercises, relaxation, and concentration. It involves poses or techniques that help ease our muscles, joints, stress relief, flexibility, and improve circulation especially if you have muscle tension around the shoulder, arms, and neck?

CHEST OPENER

DRAGONFLY

Here are some poses that can help relieve the pain. Practice with caution and if you are unable to move please seek the help of a doctor before you attempt the poses again.

2 sets of 30 seconds REST up to 2 minutes between sets

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Overhead Shoulder Stretch JULY | AUGUST 2020 77

H EA L TH

1. STRESS

When we are stressed out, our immune system can not control its responses to inflammation. When the body’s stress level remains elevated, a group of muscles can be tightened and it will cause persistent body

aches and pains. A recent research found that psychological and emotional stress can negatively affect the

body’s ability to regulate pain. Abnormally high heart rate increased blood pressure, headaches, such as tension headache or migraines. So if you think stress is causing your body aches, it is not too late to make small changes to your daily lifestyle to reduce your stress as much as possible. Try these steps

TREATMENTS: • Take a walk or leave a stressful environment to remove yourself from triggers. • If you’re losing sleep over stress, get some massage treatment to help you sleep or take short naps throughout the day to refresh yourself.

• Follow some stretches or yoga stretch to relief tense muscle. (Check out some shoulder yoga stretches in the Fitness column.)

2. DEHYDRATION

Without proper hydration, your body can’t properly function, as it needs water to do so. It is important for vital

processes which includes breathing and digestion. When you become dehydrated, these processes don’t work well with you, and it can feel physical pain as a result.

TREATMENTS: • Always aim to drink about 8-ounce glasses of water every day, but more if you’re physically active and regularly sweating.

• Keep in mind the best way to know that you are drinking enough water is by the color of your urine. If it is dark yellow, then start drinking water.

• Drinking water or beverages with extra electrolytes can help keep you hydrated and replace the

Why does our body ache?

electrolytes lost to diarrhea, too.

3. LACK OF SLEEP AND WORK OVERLOAD

Your body tissue and cells need proper sleep to stay healthy, and your brain needs to stay refreshed and

Written by Ana Kaloucava

alert. If you are not getting enough time to rest and to replenish your energy, this can lead to body pain. That can result in headaches and feeling fatigued. If you have tons of work to do worrying about it can strain muscles and add to stress especially if you do not take time to rest.

In this cold season many are suffering from body ache and muscular pains. Why is this? Is this cause for concern? It could be a sign that your body needs rest. Our body aches because of daily activity and not giving ourself the attention it needs. For some people, who may be having body aches for a long time it could be due to a condition and they may need to see a doctor for a diagnosis or get herbal medicine if they know some homemade herbal remedies. In this issue, we will discuss some things we need to be aware of and things that we need to do that that will benefit our body. 78 IAMWOMAN

TREATMENTS: Try some techniques to relax before going to sleep, such as • Having a nice cup of a hot tea or other hot beverages • Prioritize and focus only on work that needs to be done, and not overload yourself with work • Listen to some soothing music or read a book while relaxing before sleeping • Or have white noise in the room, such as from a fan

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Musings

Dealing With Changes... just a mind game

4. FLU, COLD AND OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS These infections attack your body, and your immune system attempts to fight them off, but this viral infection causes inflammation in the body. Inflammation that are in your throat, chest, and lungs can be painful. The rest of the body would ache, as a result, as our body works hard to fight the infection. If your body aches for

other reasons, this may be a condition that needs a doctor’s diagnosis. Sometimes when you start to feel

just a mind game

that your body is feeling sore and tired, try these steps:

TREATMENTS: • Make sure to get enough rest by getting enough sleep and drink a lot of water. To relieve the sore throat, gargle some warm water with salt to ease the pain and this helps kill bacteria that are irritating the throat.

• Make sure to eat a well-balanced meal, especially having enough vitamins such as vitamin C and vitamin D to help strengthen your immune system and to help you able to absorb calcium by having efficient vitamin D.

• Finally Do visit your doctor to get your medication or visit any pharmacy for over the counter medications. Which is either antibiotics, cough medications, or Advil, which can help relieve symptoms and aches.

Please be cautious and remember that our good health or sickness can be a feature in our lives depending on how well we rest or how little we rest and how stressed we allow ourselves to be.

T AK E TIM E FOR

yourelf

Written by Atelaite Senibua Design & Photography by Candace Veramu & Jacqui

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MU S IN G S

CHANGE... CHANGE, what exactly is change? Google describes “change” as an act or process through which something becomes different. We can all relate to this word and may have our own interpretations of it but the question here is:

impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” Best believe it’s true. At least that’s what I think.

Finally, Social Media has broadened our scope of influence and interaction. We have multiple apps running. People become so excited with the latest trend and some are so quick to jump in on it while others sit in the backseat and wait for doomsday. Where they wait for mishaps and they are at liberty to say “I knew it was going

Can we adapt to the changes that happen in our environment?

to happen”! Take for instance somebody advertises the launch of their original

Or Do we like change?

releases a local merchandise and the critics bark “It’s not Rihanna’s, let’s see who’ll

album, the observers say “Y’all wanna be like those artists overseas.” Someone else

buy it.” Another person shoots a comedy or posts a hilarious video with the aim of While some are open to the idea of change, others are hesitant to welcome

it. However, that’s the least of my problems. What I am concerned about is,

how people become so opinionated and have so much criticism gushing out of their traps just because other people have adapted well to certain changes. They don’t agree to certain things so they expect others to

miraculously follow their lead or they start spitting out fireballs and react so negatively.

For instance, if you’re a Fijian, you may have heard remarks on how a real Fijian should dress regardless of the occasion. Don’t get me wrong, I love our culture and the values that are embedded in it, but just because I choose to wear jeans on certain days it doesn’t make me any less of a

Fijian then the next person. I listen to the stories told by my elders with appreciation, grateful for my roots. I accept that *jaba*(tradational dress with sulu) is the appropriate attire and I do wear it when I know it is

befitting but sometimes the reactions of those sitting from the corner are

just, you know scarier then the dragon! I mean, now we dress according to the weather, our mood or the variety of clothes that are in our closet. These are individual changes that we at a certain point need to consider.

In other instances, having the confidence to do certain things is sometimes

fizzled out by the criticisms of others. Having women leaders in certain

brightening people’s day, but the critics say “Don’t make a fool of yourself, you’re not The Ellen Show.”

The question that begs to be asked is, Is it wrong to have a Local Talk Show? Is it wrong to advertise your merch? Or are we just reacting negatively because we

aren’t confident enough to take risks and be happy with how times have changed and how people are evolving and have adapted to those changes!

Henri Bergson a French Philosopher stated, “To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.”

I am not saying that all changes are good but I am asking that we leave our minds

open to the idea of change. That we base our opinions on the good that it can do and not on how it was always done otherwise we become stagnant and can not evolve but if where you’re at and what you have become is what the world needs right now, then be slow to change. Better yet, Don’t change!

However we should always hope to change for the better and still be open to the idea of letting others go through the changes that they have allowed without criticisms or

mockery! If we can’t say or do anything to change in order to improve relationships and built bridges then let’s not get in the way of those who have the confidence to do just that.

organizations still seems to be a problem and the common excuse is

there has never been one before yet the criteria for selection remains

In the words of Barack Obama, “We are the change we seek.” I can’t promise that

qualifications and focus on gender.” These examppes are still happening

everything will get better if we change but I am positive that certain things will need

the same. The top brass may be heard barking, “Nope, let’s look past the far and between but I am grateful for the fact that that it is starting to

change. Yes I said it: “CHANGE”. George Bernard Shaw said “Progress is

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to change if we ever want to be better than the person we were the day before. The onus is on us to make it happen!

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T R END I N G PUBLIC VENUES

Today Fiji is seeing a lot of interest in Visual Art and public venues like restaurants and cafes now exhibit

visual arts forging forward in the ARTs industry

paintings and sell them for the local artists. Hotels within Fiji are now assisting our local artists by having

paintings and sculpture in the foyer, rooms and shops within the hotel. This gives our overseas visitors an opportunity to appreciate our art and hopefully purchase them.

Some commercial companies are also investing in paintings and sculpture which are publicly displayed in the reception area, board rooms and even outside in a public area. It is now obvious that visual arts in Fiji is being appreciated and is beginning to be a lucrative business in Fiji.

ART GALLERIES Written by Dee Tagivakatini

Some art galleries have opened in Fiji and few have closed as well. It is encouraging to see art galleries opening in other towns Like Mather Nichols Gallery in Navua which is opening soon. A notable art gallery called BULIVITI which is within Governors Café in Knolly Street in Suva opened this year and is owned by prominent local artist Irami Buli. If you want to view or buy his paintings, go on down to the Gallery.

ART “is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power”. In Fiji, Visual Arts has been around for a long time and is entrenched in our culture and tradition. On a personal note, Visual Arts in Fiji used to be somewhat stifled as a commercial venture while other arts industries have forged ahead because of better promotion, financial sponsorship and publicity. In the last few years however, Visual Arts have been brought to the forefront of the Fiji public and now they have a well-deserved prominent commercial status amongst other Arts.

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T R END I N G

Lambert ho

PUBLIC MURALS AND SCULPTURE THAT BECOME LANDMARKS

Last year it was interesting to see public buildings, walls and bridges being painted with beautiful images and this year we have seen our own iconic artist Lambert Ho and his gifted team of artists being involved in three major projects in three towns around Fiji where big murals were painted on public buildings. Nadi,

Rakiraki and Vatuwaqa in Suva have been given a facelift with beautiful art. The public were in awe of the beautiful facelift and this has inadvertantly prompted them to appreciate Arts more.

Suva the capital of Fiji has tried to take the lead on having landmark statues and the huge bronze statue of

Ratu Sukuna takes a prominent place outside Government Buildings. Religion in Fiji is part of our identity and

there are also many more life size statues outside, inside or on top of churches. Ba is renowned for two landmark statues at the entrance of Ba Town and the large Football in the middle of town that tells us where we are.

Commercial companies are also investing in landmark statues and just recently Post Fiji commissioned a

statue of a Post Man that was erected outside Post Fiji. There was a lot of controversary over the statue in Suva and while some found it artistic, some did not. The statue has since been removed.

Sigatoka, a buzzing coastal town is known for having the best rugby players in Fiji and the Nadroga Rugby

Team has a proven record for its’ wins. Their symbol is a stallion as the Nadroga countryside has its own breed of stallions and this year they decided to have a prominent landmark that depicts their identity. To commemorate Fiji’s 50 years of independence a huge copper figure of a stallion on its hind legs hovering over a rugby ball was installed at the cross-roads of Sigatoka. When passing through Sigatoka you will

definitely pass this 12 feet beautiful statue made with love by Shane Bower undoubtedly one of the best metal artisian in Fiji. The artwork is being completed and one can imagine what the emotions that the finished product evokes in the Sigatoka residents. 86 IAMWOMAN

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T R END I N G SOCIAL INFLUENCERS

This year 2020 we have seen a surge of public art exhibitions with good financial sponsorships and there has been a huge turn out of people at these shows. The popularity of these shows

has a lot to do with the hosts/hostesses who have influence in certain social circles. In Fiji, there are a few prominent “influencers” who have been the main drivers for the notable public awareness in propelling the visual arts forward as a lucrative business for our artists.

One such person we are acknowledging is Jane Ren, wife of the Head of Mission to the European Union in Fiji. She is a passionate arts enthusiast and has organised successful public art exhibitions in Fiji. Recently an art exhibition was staged at the EU residence in September 2020 for public viewing. This was a huge success as many of the paintings were sold. Jane is known to take time to meet with the local talents in the arts industry and her

social media postings are viewed by many of us who are informed on what is happening in the art world in Fiji.

Ellana Bickerdike co-owner of Knox Entertainment is known in the entertainment circle and she is always giving a helping hand in the Arts Industry and is renowned for organising one of the most popular, oldest and biggest Markets in Fiji called the ROC Markets. Through Knox

Entertainment, you can always guarantee that events and activities are well organised. Her

social media postings are influential in terms of what is happening in Fiji and she is always

in the forefront of promoting the Arts and Entertainment Industry in Fiji and has been part of the many arts exhibitions in Fiji.

ArtTalk is an online magazine that shares information on arts in Fiji and the founder, Peter

Sipeli is a flamboyant and gifted story-teller, poet and influencer of arts in Fiji and the Pacific.

Peter is known to organise Art Exhibitions and is renowned for promoting poetry reading and

writing. Recently he organised “Arts at the Library” and children learnt the many aspects of Art. It is good to see that Arts in all forms are being taught to our young ones as it helps them to be creative and expressive.

Alexanderine Boufflers, wife of the French Ambassador to Fiji has also been a prominent

influencer of Arts in Fiji and through her contacts, effective public Art Exhibitions have been

jane ren

organised through the French Embassy and other financial sponsorship. Her social media pages are very informative and she takes great interest in all sorts of Art in Fiji which includes Fashion, Visual Arts, Cooking to name a few.

As Fiji continues to be cautious over COVID, the Visual Arts Industry has found creative ways to continue to move forward in the commercial field. There is certainly a market for their art as Fiji becomes more appreciative and aware that visual arts is a worthy investment.

We conclude with this quote “When you buy something from an artist, you’re buying more than an object. You’re buying years of frustration and moments of pure joy. You’re not buying just one thing, you are buying a piece of a heart, a piece of a soul……a small piece of someone else’s life” – www.chrischalkart.com.

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LEI S U R E

TAKI MADA! Written by Dee Tagivakatini Images: Supplied For Fijians, kava drinking is for formal cultural ceremonies as well as leisure and it brings families and friends together when they catch up around a basin of kava. The question about which

gender can drink kava or not is a non issue as it is now common for both women and men drink kava. In some homes, kava drinking is done on a daily basis and everything is discussed from

politics,rugby to COVID-19 to religion etc. There has been a research that says kava drinking is not good for the health, sex and the skin. Other research state that it is good for the health.

Personally I am not a “heavy” kava drinker but a few bowls with friends and family helps me to relax after a hard day at work and I certainly enjoy the “talanoa” [discussion] sessions around a basin.

‘Yuck’ is the only word to describe the taste of kava but the many available chasers you can

eat to accompany the grog certainly helps make the taste more bearable. There are various chasers available in Fiji. Fruits like pineapple, mangoes with curry powder, apples, oranges, wi,

sugar cane are only a few I have heard of. You also have drinks like Coke and my favourite uncle has one of the weirdest chasers – it is “layalaya” [Fijian medicinal ginger] that is poured

into each bilo of kava he drinks. Some of us eat chinese sweets like lemon skin, tamarind seeds,

chinese lollie. Then you have the odd few who have chips, beans, peanuts, cake and sweets. For

smokers, cigarettes are a temporary reprieve. After a few heavy kava sessions, I have normally asked myself, why do I it but I have never hesitated to again have a basin of kava with family and friends when invited.

I have never understood the concept of “wash down” as the next day all I want to do is sleep the whole day as I feel weak, tired and drowsy. But it seems that beer is the best wash down as

it washes away that horrible taste left in your mouth from your heavy kava sessions. There are also certain foods and beverages that are eaten and drunk to get rid of the bad feeling the next

day. Some of us eat curry or chinese soup or just good old plain noodle soup and each to their own. When COVID-19 hit us early this year, this did not deter some of us from drinking kava as we

continued to drink kava at home with our family members. As the COVID-19 restrictions became a bit more relaxed, there was a trend of public kava bars opening up around Fiji.

Today Fiji is known for public kava bars around towns and you can meet up with friends or meet new friends at these places. Most public kava bars provide entertainment which make it

more enjoyable. We are now following the trend of Vanuatu where Kava Bars called “Nakamals” are open to the public. In Suva City, we are now beginning to see Kava Bars opening within restaurants and cafes. Below are a few public kava bars that are open to the public. Personally I think it is a good idea as people would like to hang out with friends and work mates after work.

The curfew does help in limiting the intake of kava that could go on whole night. By 10.00pm people must start to make their way home. 90 IAMWOMAN

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LEI S U R E WETA COFFEE KAVA BAR

Weta Coffee is a popular coffee shop that is located at 8 Selbourne Street, Suva. It has a separate Kava Bar within the Café and is open every day. Every Saturday, entertainment is provided from 6.00pm. Notable

local artists like Vly, KKU and Mia Kia have performed. Weta Coffee sells Lami Kava micronized instant

kava which makes three litres at a time. This costs about $15.00 and they have chosen this specific type

Capitano Cafe

of kava for hygiene purposes as it reduces contact. Each customer is given their own tanoas, bilos and

ladle so they are not sharing. Their busy days for the kava bar are normally from Wednesdays to Fridays and they have a beautiful comfortable environment with air condition and friendly staff plus excellent entertainment.

CAPITANO CAFÉ

Capitano Café is located in Wailada, Lami and is a restaurant that specialises in local cuisine. It has a separate kava area and sells fresh pounded kava. They provide entertainment at the kava bar. You also have access to the restaurant and can order food and beverage if you wish. The atmosphere is pleasant

and sometimes it is ideal to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. On Saturdays, the Café normally shows overseas IRB Rugby matches and this is another way to attract the crowd.

CONTAIN YOURSELF CAFÉ

Contain Yourself Café is right in the middle of Suva City next to Post Fiji. Every Thursday from 4.00pm to 9.00pm entertainment is provided and the MaiKava Bar is opened. Notable local artist like Laisa Vulakoro and Sound Waves have performed at the Café. A 3 litre tanoa costs only $15.00 and you can buy food

and beverage. The environment is beautiful as the café is outdoors and beautiful sunsets are visible on a clear day.

NIU GRILLZ

Niu Grillz Restaurant is the latest sensation in town for good grilled and smoked food. This restaurant is located at the Fiji Club in Suva at 1 Selbourne Street. They specialise in smoked and grilled meats and

do lunches at the Fiji Club. On Thursdays, it is sigidrigi ( singing by local singers) night and local artists are invited to entertain. Kava is available and Niu Grillz uses the Kavachino brand of kava. Every Friday,

it is band night and local bands are invited to entertain. You must call beforehand to book a table and a small cover fee of $5.00 and $10 is charged per person. The Kava Bar is opened throughout the week

and one of the popular local bands that perform at Niu Grillz is The Gang. A three litre tanoa costs about $15.00. If you are hungry, you can order food and beverage from the restaurant .

KAVA BURE

Kava Bure is a bit different from the other kava bars. It is an actual Kava Bar that is located behind Damodar City and beside Sports City. Its outdoor décor is quite pleasant where there are benches and tables to sit on while having kava in individual bures. Your privacy is respected where plastic curtains for

individual bures can be pulled down to separate each table. Kava is bought from the Kava Bure Store and you can mix your own basin of kava. The kava is bought from Savusavu and is renowned to be one

of the tastiest and strongest kava in Suva. The Store also sells all sorts of chasers and its friendly staff are always on hand to assist you. The atmosphere is pleasant and is outdoors and you can have your privacy if you wish. It is open during working hours and is popular amongst the young people. 92 IAMWOMAN

Wherever the sun or the moon is, there is always a kava session happening between family and friends in Fiji. Laughter and intense conversation are the highlights around a tanoa of kava. How the kava tastes is definitely irrelevant in most cases and the many chasers around the tanoa is certainly a great help. Drinking kava is a leisure activity that most of us Fijians dread or look forward to. This simple activity brings us together as one to talanoa (Talk). This has been the tradition in Fiji and will continue from one generation to another where face to face communication, transmission of information and knowledge is effectively carried out. Will this tradition of kava drinking stand the test of time to continue indefinitely? Only time will tell and for now it has become one of the more popular leisure activities that Fijians indulge in. JULY | AUGUST 2020 93

FA SHION & BEA UTY

This year has been a confusing and challenging year and most industries have made adjustments which have been detrimental in some cases for employees. This scenario is global and today adaptation and changes are still happening as global governments try to minimise the spread of COVID-19 and commercial companies look at ways to keep their business going. In Fiji, Fashion like other industries have made creative changes to keep their individual

businesses going. This year we have seen a lot of activities where the fashion industry is forging ahead through their innovative promotions and strategies.

ONLINE – THE NEW BUZZ WORD

Social Media has always been an effective tool in promotions and selling products online. This year we saw the fashion Industry effectively use social media as one of their main tools to promote and sell their products and activities online.

The use of virtual interviews through face book was the norm as social distancing restrictions were implemented. Fiji Fashion Week used zoom sessions to keep us updated on what was happening to the fashion stakeholders.

There was a huge increase in accessory making being advertised online and customers now have a wider range of accessories to choose from. As competition increases, costs and styles become more diverse. We hope the quality will be maintained.

ARE WE BEING PROGRESSIVE? Written by Dee Tagivakatini Photography Supplied 94 IAMWOMAN

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FA SHION & BEA UTY

ZUBER

COMBINED FASHION SHOWS

This year we have seen extraordinary fashion shows being staged where fashion designers came out together in a big way to show case their clothes. Zuber’s Fashion Overwater

Extravaganza at Marriott Resort in August was truly a unique and a “WOW” event that was mind blowing. The actual water walkway through the Resort’s Bures was the main cat-

walk. A different type of atmosphere and surroundings did make a difference and tickets were sold out within days. Fashion labels that were featured were ZUBER, Zilda Collection and Naina. The event was also to promote Fijian Tourism.

“Wearing Fiji” a Fashion Project being headed by co-founder Samsom Lee, one of Fiji’s

prominent fashion designer staged the Kakula Fashion Show in September 2020. The main focus of the project was on developing the Fijian Fashion Industry through education by connecting aspiring student designers with established ones for a month. The established

fashion designers that featured in the Kakula Show were Hupfeld Hoerder, Andrew Powell, Robert Verebasaga, Samsom Lee, Temesia Tuicaumia, Atelaite Daunibau [Sugarose] and Natalia Larsen. The Fashion Show was held at the Grand Pacific Hotel’s main foyer and

tickets sold out quickly. This event is noted to be one of the best events being staged this year 2020 in Suva.

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KUIVITI

FA SHION & BEA UTY

INDIVIDUAL FASHION SHOWS

Some Fashion Designers had taken it upon themselves to stage their own fashion show and Kui Viti Label dared to take the stage alone in October 2020. Label owner Epeli Tuibeqa is a gifted stylist, fashion designer and dancer and is passionate about his culture, his

vanua [land] and tradition. The show was aptly called NOQU KALOU NOQU VANUA [My

God, My Land]. The clothes displayed a unique combination of colors, culture, tradition and the styles were trendy, relaxed, freestyle and versatile.

The men’s outfits were retro and bold in terms of style and this will certainly be a sell-out

as our men become more conscious and daring to wear these trendy styles. The venue was out of Suva City at Capitano Café which made the atmosphere cosy and guests

could see upfront the clothes styles. Kui Viti label is widely sold overseas and the fashion show was able to be screened to overseas guests for a small fee. Tickets was sold out and this indicated the growing popularity of this exciting brand.

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KUIVITI

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KUIVITI

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SHOPAHOLIC

FA SHION & BEA UTY

SHARING PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SALES PLATFORMS/OUTLETS

This year has bought about a sense of sharing in the Fashion Industry where fashion

designers share public spaces to sell their labels. Shopaholic in Pratt Street, Suva is also

doing a similar arrangement and now sells Haus of Mausio and Cherish brands to name a few. They are also selling all sorts of accessories and they are renowned for their shoes and bags. The store is owned by local fashion designer Jackie Whippy and we thank her for her vision to use her store space for other local clothes labels and brands.

Zuber in QBE Arcade, Victoria Parade in Suva sells the Zuber, Zilda and Naina labels and

now have an exclusive range of beautiful exotic ear-rings which normally sells out when

on display. Illai Jikoiono and Fuzz Ali are the creators of Zuber and are noted to have an eye for style and fashion. Their various collection of clothes are fresh, elegant, urbanistic, laid back and very cool. This year Zuber is taking it one step further and opening up their

first Atelier in Suva City. An Atelier is an open creative venue where designing, creating and other artistic activities happens. Cannot wait to see what happens next.

Samsom Lee needs no introduction as he is one of the household names for fashion in Fiji. He knows what it is like to start from humble beginnings and when he launched his label in 2015, he has never looked back and continues to defy challenges and be progressive.

Samsom Lee Botique is situated at Butt Street and houses the Samsom Lee Fiji Label and

Hefrani brand amongst other fashion labels. Menswear, wedding outfits are just some

of the clothes Samsom Lee Fiji is famous for. All sorts of accessories from sunglasses to jewellery to bags are available at the store as well.

The fashion industry has been one of the industries being adversely affected by COVID-19 on a global scale. As unemployment rises, fashion is now viewed as a luxury activity but as necessity living become a reality, fashion spending decreases. But in Suva, the fashion bubble seems to be intact as disposable income of certain groups of middle and highincome earners continue to support the fashion industry. We thank those of you who have continued to support this industry that has provided employment and been a vital part of the economy of Fiji. There is always hope that things will get better in the future and let us take a lesson from the fashion industry on how innovation and creativity can help your business to survive and surge forward.

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SAMSON LEE

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SAMSON LEE

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L E S T W E F O R G ET

LAVINIA B EU LA H A H KOY (194 0 -20 02) In this issue we keep to the theme In Remembrance of Fiji’s 50 Years Celebration and commemorate one of Fiji’s notable women who served in parliament in the period prior, during and after independence. Parliament is the legislative body of any government and in order for the front of the house to be functioning the back of the house or engine room of pariament needs

to run like clockwork.Today television shows us what happens in Parliament and it is normally all about the politicians who take centre stage but behind the scenes in a

typical Parliament, there is an administrative group of workers who tirelessly ensure that important documentation and other administrative work is done to support Members of

Parliament. Additionally this group ensures that debates and discussions in Parliament

are documented accurately and processes are followed. Parliament will come to a halt, without this important support group.

In August 1968 Lavinia Ah Koy, a regal and soft-spoken lady headed this unique administrative group when she took on the role of Clerk to Fiji’s colonial parliament

which was then called the Legislative Council. Her work experience was recognised

as she progressed from High Court stenographer and served 14 years as a Hansard reporter in Parliament,before moving on to the Clerk’s role.

Mrs Ah Koy was the “boss mover” of Parliament and without her and her team, Parliament would have been non-functional. As Clerk to Parliament, she was expected to coordinate her small team of staff to keep and maintain parliamentary accounts, ensure protocols

of parliament sessions and procedures were followed, speeches typed, recording and editing of Hansard reports, preparation of legislations, advice on ministerial duties and

offices. There were many other job tasks that she and her staff did, and this required

spending long hours at work to ensure that Parliament sessions ran smoothly. There was always work to do before, during and after Parliament sittings.

As Fiji approached Independence, a lot of preparatory work had to be done for a new

parliamentary system and Mrs Ah Koy was at the forefront and very instrumental in

being part of this important process, as she assisted the political leaders in formulating a new political system that would carry Fiji through and after Independence.

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L E S T W E F O R G ET

In April 1970, Mrs Ah Koy was part of Fiji’s political delegation that went to London for final talks on Independence. From April to June 1970, Mrs. Ah Koy still held the position of Clerk to the Fiji Parliament but she also served as Fiji’s “Secretary General” at the historic

round-table conference that led to Independence. She also spent a further six months at the British House of Commons to learn about legislative procedures, standing orders,

orders of debate and other vital parliamentary processes that were required to set up the new Parliament of Fiji after Independence.

As a result of her training in Britain, Mrs Ah Koy was required to come back to Fiji and implement what she learnt. With the new technology and equipment in place, Mrs Ah Koy trained the Hansard reporters in the new methods, rules and practices that were needed for the new parliament. In addition she had to set the new procedures of how

a Speaker was to preside in Parliament. There were also many other new processes and procedures that had to be put into place for the first parliamentary sitting after Independence. The Westminister style of parliament was adopted and the political parties elected to Government had the parliamentary power. Mrs Ah Koy had risen to the challenge of her job and performed over and beyond the call of duty.

Five years later, in 1975, Mrs Ah Koy was awarded an Order of the British Empire [OBE] and became the first woman in Fiji to be awarded this honourable Award in the midst of a male dominated arena in Politics. It was well deserved and as usual Mrs Ah Koy accepted the Order humbly.

Mrs Ah Koy was married to Sir James Ah Koy, a prominent businessman, diplomat and politician in Fiji. Together they had four children Michael, Anthony, Monica and Carolyn and today their children carry on the legacy of both of these two inspiring individuals.

On a personal note, Mrs Ah Koy was beyond her time because she took a brave step to

recognise that women had the capability to be a vital part of the Government machinery

and also have a family and be able to adequately handle both “houses”. She is indeed

an inspiration to all of us women that we are able to handle a career and also care for our families as well.

Fiji thanks you Mrs Ah Koy for all your contribution to our beloved country. We leave you with a quote from Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan – “Whatever title or office we may be privileged to hold, it is what we do that defines who we are…….each of us must decide what kind of person we want to be – what kind of legacy that we want to pass on”.

Source: Nation Builder,the Forgotten Story of Mrs Lavinia Ah Koy : Fiji Daily Post Facebook Page

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C R OS SW O RD

ISSUE 12 CLUES

ISSUE 11

CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS

ISSUE 12 PUZZLE

ACROSS

DOWN

1.Vude Queen 5. Type Of Fish 10. Estimated Time Of Arrival 11. Small Business Owner 13. Adverb, Excessive 14. Fiji Fashion House 19. Italian Name Short Form For Lorenzo 21. European Norms 22. Dog Breed 23. Archaic, Shortly 24.The ___ : Song By Miley Cyryus 27. Pronoun Belongin To Him 28. Owns Bar-Belle 30.Red Cross Lady First Name 31. Unlawfully Take Property 32. Sue Samuels’s Brand 33.Machine With Moving Parts 35. First Russian 24/7 English Language News Channel 36.Musical Instrument 37. First Covid Case 38.______Learn : Song By Rihanna 40. Accessories Is Their Focus 44. Physical Distancing And Keeping A Safe Space Between Yourself & Other People Not From Your Household. 49. ___ Cross : Like Works Here 50 . Video Playing App For Android Phones Or Tablet 51. Learning Disability 52. Family Video Calling App Integrating Children’s Books And Activities 56. Online Story

2. Statistics 3. Everyone 4. Dried Grape 6. Queens Wear Them 7. Dipping Sauce Originating In Genoa Italy 8. Pacific Focus 9. Second Number 12. 1980’S Sitcom About An Ugy Creature 14. Fiji Fashion Designer 15, Warm Fluffy Boots 16. Michelle_____ : Previous First Lady Of Usa 17. Fiji Airways Senior Flight Attendant 18. First Name Of Fiji’s Previous Ambassador To Indonesia 19. The Resourceful Manager 20. Iconic Fiji Fashion Brand 24. Young Fiji Designer 25. Short For Floor Covering Made From Linseed Oil, Cork And Wood. 26. Fashion Brand By Aqela Cakobau 29. An Individual Thing Regarded As Complete 34. Positive Trait Of Perseverance 39. Pandemic Affecting Us This Year 41. Vertical Curved Structure 42. Clear Straw Coloured Liquid Portion Of Blood After Red & White Cells Are Removed 43. Showcase Of Speakers Presenting Ideas To Audiences In Less Then 18Min. 44. Set Of Men Or Women’s Work Clothes 45. Largest Empire In Pre-Columbian America 46. Band Of Rubber Fitted Around A Rim Of A Wheel 47. Association Of People With A Common Goal Or Interest 48. Teacher Guide 53. Used In Comparison 54. Preposition,Something Enclosed And Surrounded By Something Else 55. Prefix Meaning Both

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