Over 100 girls from the Central Division gathered in Suva on Saturday to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child with a unique Peace-building Sports Day organized by the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM). This engaging event, themed “She Plays, She Leads, She Builds Peace,” focused on empowering girls through sports while challenging traditional gender stereotypes.
FWRM Executive Director Nalini Singh emphasized that the day’s activities were about more than just enjoyment; they aimed to impart essential life skills. “Sports teaches us teamwork, respect, resilience, and trust—the same values needed to build peace in our families, schools, and communities,” she explained. Singh underscored the importance of girls taking leadership roles and inspiring their peers to fight against inequality and foster solidarity.
The event featured motivational insights from special guest Rusila Nagasau, captain of the Fijiana 7s team, who encouraged attendees to pursue their dreams fiercely, stating, “You can be the best in the world only if you believe in yourself.” Local athlete Lusi Rokonamarama, a member of the Fiji Deaf Women’s Rugby team, also shared her inspiring success story, discussing her journey to winning gold in Australia.
Activities included a rugby clinic hosted by the Fiji Rugby Union, mindfulness exercises led by trainer Asinate Korocowiri, and fire safety awareness provided by officers from the National Fire Authority. The event also featured dances, chants, and a heartfelt moment of silence in honor of Pinktober, remembering girls lost to cancer.
This initiative received support from the Australian Government and the International Women’s Development Agency, highlighting its role in promoting sports and teamwork as avenues for advocating gender equality and peace-building among young girls. The FWRM is committed to continuing such initiatives, empowering young women to evolve into future leaders and active catalysts for change within their communities.
These efforts align with broader initiatives in Fiji aimed at fostering safe and inclusive environments through sports, echoing similar events that promote respect and solidarity across genders, and encourage the development of a collaborative and vibrant society.