“I personally believe we must celebrate the fact that there is realization that there is gender disparity.”

These were the words of the Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism, Local Government, Housing and Community Development – Premila Kumar who yesterday officiated at the Fiji Institute of Accountants Women in Leadership Inaugural Event.

Kumar highlighted gender issues such as pay parity, discrimination, and the low number of women in boards and committees including parliament are still debates that capture everyone’s attention.

Speaking to the delegates, Minister Kumar reminded the participants that they needed to support women leadership in addition to the various government initiatives being rolled out.

She notes that in Fiji, a total of 44 women (17%) and 205 men (83%) ran in the 2014 election.

Women won 8 of the 50 seats in Parliament. That is 16 per cent of parliament were represented by women.

She notes that in the in 2018 election a total of 56 (24%) women and 235 (76%) men stood for the election.

For the first time women representation in parliament increased by 4% resulting to 20% women MP’s.

This is the best result achieved so far for women in leadership, the Minister noted and one she hopes will only get better.