About us

History

We are the Fiji Association of Women Graduates (FAWG), a non-governmental organization of women who have earned educational qualifications beyond the secondary school level.

We were founded in 1983 by women graduates living in Suva, to promote the quality of life of women and girls.

Our commitments are :

To further the development of education for women;
To improve the status of women and children;
To protect human rights;
To promote peace.

To achieve this we:

- Encourage and support members to undertake higher education or further studies;

- Foster understanding, international cooperation and friendship among women graduates, irrespective of race. Nationality, religion, or political opinions;

- Undertake advocacy and consultancies for the solution of problems in areas of public life and participate in decision –making at local, national and international levels;

- Sponsor conferences, seminars, workshops, research, projects and training programmes.

FAWG provides opportunities for individual members to:

- Apply for international fellowships;
- Receive sponsorship and support for further studies;
- Be part of a network of women with a common purpose;
- Develop knowledge of national, regional and international issues from a specialized women’s perspective;
- Obtain leadership training and experience;
- Benefit from international friendship and hospitality.

Leadership

1983-1986  Gracie Fong (Founding President)

1985-1986  Margaret Wong

1986-1987  Susan Parkinson

1987-1992  Elizabeth Reade Fong

1992-1995  Patricia Imrana Jalal

1995-1999  Leba Halofaki Mataitini

1999-2001  Esiteri Kamikamica

2001-2003  Dr Helen Tavola

2003-2007  Dr Akanisi Kedrayate

2007-2008  Winnie Nainoca

2009 – 2011 Dr Akanisi Kedrayate

Council

The Council comprises of the President, two Vice-Presidents, immediate past President, Secretary, Treasurer, Coordinator of International Relations (CIR), Membership Coordinator and Project Coordinator.

Council meetings occur in the first Thursdays of every month.

The 2011 – 2013 Council:

President: Dr Akanisi Kedrayate
Vice-Presidents (2): Lily Vesikula, Mosmi Bhim
Treasurer: Renuka Singh
Secretary: Charlotte Taylor
Membership Convener: Zakia Chand
Convener of International Relations: Senimili Kamikamica

Maria Ronna Luna Pastorizo-Sekiguchi remains as Young Members’ Convener

Sub-committees:

Scholarships - Zakia Chand, Mosmi Bhim and Senimili Kamikamica

Grants and Projects – Dr Akanisi Kedrayate, Alison Haynes and Charlotte Taylor

Community Relations – Maria Ronna Luna Pastorizo-Sekiguchi, Marica Tabualevu and Lily Vesikula

Network

FAWG is an affiliate of the National Council of Women. We network with other NGOs including the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM), Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, the YWCA, ECOWOMAN, Women in Politics (WIP), and the Network of Women in Higher Education in the Pacific (NETWHEP).

Regionally, FAWG maintains close links with the New Zealand Federation of Graduate Women (NZFGW) and the Australian Federation of University Women (AFUW). Women graduate associations in three neighbours (Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu) have been established with some help from FAWG and we are all full members of Pacific Graduate Women’s Network – PGWNet.

FAWG is also a full member of the International Federation of University Women (IFUW).

IFUW has worked with UN bodies on matters relevant to the Federation’s purposes since 1947.