During the recent launch of the Women Invigorating the Nation (WIN) Convention 2026, held to encourage female participation in nation-building, Eldon Eastgate, general manager of Essity in the Pacific Islands, emphasized the importance of women’s visibility and confidence in shaping Fiji’s future.
Recognizing that more work is necessary to elevate women within various sectors, Eastgate urged females to take the initiative and actively position themselves as leaders. “We invest in women and we invest in Fiji, and to me, that’s critical,” he stated. He highlighted the urgent need for capacity building among women entrepreneurs and women in corporate roles, reinforcing the idea that women’s voices are vital for the development of the nation.
The WIN Convention, organized by the Women Entrepreneurs Business Council (WEBC) under the Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation (FCEF), aims to create an annual platform specifically for women. However, the event also welcomes the involvement of male counterparts, which was underscored by Eastgate, who serves as the president of FCEF. He stressed the importance of this collaboration, recognizing that while women are valued in some organizations, a collective effort is necessary to elevate them further.
Eastgate pointed out that initiatives like the WIN Convention are instrumental in building confidence among women and encouraging them to share their talents and perspectives with the broader community. The upcoming two-day convention is scheduled for March 27 and 28 at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, promising a collaborative environment for empowerment and growth.
The anticipation surrounding the WIN Convention 2026 signifies a hopeful step toward achieving greater gender equity in Fiji’s workforce, highlighting both women’s potential and the collective responsibility to foster an inclusive environment.