The Miss Fiji Pageant has reached an important milestone, with contestants convening at the Suva City Council chambers to kick off their research topic presentations. Running from December 10-13, this segment of the pageant shifts the narrative from traditional beauty to intellect, courage, and social awareness.
The focus of this year’s presentations aligns with the national theme, “Promoting Online Safety – Think Before You Click,” underlining the crucial nature of digital awareness in contemporary society. Information Minister Lynda Tabuya inaugurated the event with a powerful address, sharing her own experiences with online abuse and the resilience needed to face such challenges. Her insights resonated deeply with the contestants, reminding them that their contributions extend beyond the competition and can drive significant societal change.
The contestants delivered a range of thought-provoking topics that tackled urgent social issues. Miss Nadi, Alumeci Davu, advocated for community-based tourism as an avenue for economic growth while emphasizing the need to preserve Fiji’s environmental and cultural assets. Miss Nausori, Bernadeta Waqavanua, made a compelling case for equitable corporate funding in women’s sports, aiming to raise the visibility and recognition of female athletes.
Miss Labasa, Peggy Ravusiro, focused on promoting women’s political leadership, suggesting that the principle of vanua, or shared leadership, should shape national policies. Miss Lautoka, Lebaiwasa WakaWaka, called on the community to shift from mere sympathy to empowerment for individuals with disabilities, urging for inclusive practices that recognize their potential as valuable economic contributors.
Addressing the vulnerabilities faced by youth, Miss Rakiraki, Shrdha Mala, discussed the relationship between online content and drug addiction, proposing initiatives such as mobile mental health teams and community awareness campaigns. Meanwhile, Miss Nasinu, Ailava Samuels, emphasized the importance of cyber safety and the creation of grassroots cyber safety teams, while Miss Suva, Rhyelle Aisea, advocated for clear legal standards against image-based abuse.
Culminating the presentations, Miss Tavua, Sera Kiawe, highlighted that low digital literacy significantly contributes to online risks and proposed educational programs aimed at enhancing digital empowerment and privacy training for young people.
These presentations exemplified a cohort of empowered, socially conscious young women, indicating that they are not just competitors but advocates and future leaders. As the Miss Fiji Pageant progresses to its conclusion, the innovative ideas and solutions put forward by the contestants are set to resonate throughout Fijian society, reinforcing the idea that collective responsibility is essential in addressing these pressing issues.