One of the challenges Fiji faces today is the lack of representation of women in government boards and committees.

The issue was raised by Trade Minister Faiyaz Koya while addressing close to a hundred women at the Women In Business Annual General meeting in Suva last night.

Koya says only a little number of women applying to be members of committees and board in government ministries.

‘’Women in executive positions who can contribute to boards and committees are reluctant to apply, I’ll give you facts and figures first hand. It was in January this year we had advertised for interested persons to be on government boards and under my ministry you’ve, got Commerce Commission, FilmFiji, and Real Estate Board and unfortunately less than fifty percent of the applicants were women’’.

Koya noted that two of the most crucial boards under his Ministry – the Commerce Commission and Film Fiji are taken up by women.

These are Joann Young as Chairperson of the Commerce Commission and Shaenaz Voss as newly elected Chairperson of FilmFiji.

Koya adds government will continue to do more for the empowerment of women in the country.