Projects and Activities

For the last 22 years, FAWG has been actively involved in various programmes and activities which ranged from research and publications to facilitating workshops and conferences on gender and women’s issues. To date we have published a number of books, some are distributed free to schools. FAWG has also facilitated successful science workshops for teachers and students from rural and outer island schools. Here are some of our projects:

Mentoring Programme

This project which commenced in 2010, provides peer assistance for female undergraduate students studying at the Fiji National University (FNU) as well as academic support by providing a mentoring program for English and Mathematics for female students enrolled primarily in male-dominated courses or programs offered at the FNU.

The program establishes a mentoring support and advice service for young women, a safe study environment where they can access tutoring support and awareness raising events that highlight education and employment opportunities in these areas to encourage more girls to pursue these subjects. The program is also aimed at increasing the number of scholarships FAWG makes available at the tertiary level and ensure that the increased awareness and applications that result from the mentoring program are complemented by increased support for students at the tertiary level.

The Scholarship Fund

This fund pays for the tuition fees of young women studying in non-traditional fields at the Fiji National University (FNU) was founded in 2004 and continues to send young women to school today. The young members organise events like the annual Quiz night to raise funds and create awareness about this project.

Mangrove Planting in association with the Fiji Girl Guides

An initiative in 2010 based on the theme ‘Sustainable Environment through Education’. It is a re-planting of mangroves along Suva’s coastline, a project that is in collaboration with the Fiji Girl Guides Association.  A FAWG senior member, Ms Alison Haynes presented to the FAWG Council her most recent publication that was done by the Institute of Applied Sciences at the University of the South Pacific.

Green Bag Project

This is a joint project between the New Zealand Federation of Graduate Women (NZFGW) and FAWG in 2007. It was launched at one of the monthly luncheons by Lia Maka and Marica Tabualevu. It had a dual purpose: To promote a sustainable environment and to also raise funds for the Scholarship fund. We received 136 bags sold at $2 each.

Science Workshops for Junior Secondary Schools

Two successful science workshops for girls in rural high schools were conducted at USP in 2004 and 2006.The main aim of the workshops were to expose the girls and their teachers to Tertiary Science, Technology and an Engineering environment (USP) so that they could be motivated to take up these subjects when they enter into secondary schools. The workshops were very successful and they were funded by the Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund.

Research and Publications

In 2005, FAWG held two workshops and the money saved from the workshops were used to fund publications on “Life in Mudflats”. The book was launched by Ro Teimumu Kepa, then the Honourable Minister for Education. Another book “Life in Fresh Water”was published in 2005 and was funded by the British Embassy. The books were distributed free to some primary and junior secondary schools. FAWG acknowledged Dr. Alison Haynes and her committee for coordinating the projects and also for her two publications.

Other recent projects and activities

August, 2011 – Annual Quiz night held at the USP gym. This is the biggest fundraising project held every year in order to raise funds for the Scholarship Fund.

June, 2011 – FAWG 14^th Biennial Meeting was held at the USP to discuss the Association’s past activities, future plans and strategic framework.

May, 2011 – The Lautoka workshop. Theme: Building Intergenerational Women Leaders. This activity’s main goal was successfully met by reviving the Nadi and Lautoka membership.

April, 2011 – Traps talks. Guest Speaker: Professor Warden Narsey. Topic: MDG goals: G3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women.

March, 2011 – International Women’s Day was celebrated by FAWG by organising a few events:
Free Career Talk Session 1: Self & Career Exploration – Three graduate women members facilitated a discussion about Self and Career Exploration.
Free Movie Screening of ‘The Land Has Eyes’ – All proceeds, donations and contributions at the screening went to a Scholarship Fund.  This event was made possible with the generous support of the British High Commission and OCAC-PS.

2010 – 30th International Federation of University Women (IFUW) Triennial Conference attendance in Mexico City. Elizabeth Fong, one of our Trustees, presented a paper, “Reaching the Top of the Coconut Tree: challenges, progress and sustainability for women in academia and support services at the USP”.

2009 – Australian Federation of University Women Triennial Conference attendance in Sydney, Australia.

2008 – Pacific Graduate Women’s Network Council meeting/conference attendance in the Kingdom of Tonga.