In Fiji, women can be discouraged from seeking leadership positions because of conservative attitudes. Women are often excluded from making decisions around the home and in their communities - only sixteen per cent of Fiji's parliamentarians are women. Young Fijian women can be doubly discriminated against. When girls are told from an early age that their voices, bodies and experiences don't matter, they also believe that their rights don't matter.

In response the International Women's Development Agency (IWDA), in partnership with the Fiji Women's Rights Movement (FWRM), strive to empower, unite and provide leadership opportunities for women in Fiji, especially for emerging young leaders. Their Grow Inspire Relate Lead and Succeed (GIRLS) Program uses sport, theatre and the arts as a platform to encourage girls' confidence in raising issues about gender stereotypes, bullying and sexism. GIRLS helps 10 – 12 year old girls better understand how gender inequality affects their lives and builds a generation of strong, confident girls.

Last year, 35 girls graduated from the program. Kavita, one of the GIRLS graduates, says the program has helped her build the confidence to speak out against injustice. "I never saw equality between people because society always makes comparison between a male and a female. I saw women left behind at home while men were enjoying themselves. A lot of men think that a female's place is in the kitchen, cooking and looking after the children; but I say, we are EQUAL."

Kavita is determined to be part of the next wave of women leaders in Fiji. With support from IWDA, Kavita and girls like her are dismantling patriarchal notions of what a woman should be. "I would like to tell everyone that gender equality is not only a women's issue - it's everyone's issue. If we all work together and bring a change in our thinking, we can change the world."

IWDA is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).