Advocate for individuals living with disabilities, Nafitalai Uluinakorotabu, expressed his pride as a Queen Victoria School Old Boy while celebrating the successful implementation of the “Stride with Strength” Walkathon. Uluinakorotabu, who attended the school from 2003 to 2005, highlighted the event as a significant advancement in promoting inclusivity and combatting gender-based violence (GBV).
He noted that the walkathon not only served as a fundraising initiative but also provided a unifying experience for families, communities, and supporters of Queen Victoria School (QVS). “The whole program was a success, and I’m very proud because, as a person with a disability, the QVS Old Boys have come together to fight for inclusion and also fight against GBV. I know this was a fundraising event, but it brought together communities and families from the QVS community,” Uluinakorotabu commented.
The presence of influential figures such as Shamima Ali, Coordinator of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, and Sashi Kiran, Minister for Women, added to the event’s significance, particularly encouraging male participants to engage in the cause. Uluinakorotabu emphasized that QVS is one of the few educational institutions taking a robust public stance on both disability inclusion and advocacy against gender-based violence.
He noted the collaboration with the Ministry of Women, the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM), and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, expressing hope that this walkathon could become an annual event. Uluinakorotabu is urging Fijians to remain attentive to announcements regarding the potential for another walkathon next year, reinforcing community solidarity and support for these vital causes.