Taveuni Women’s Empowerment Support Group Pushes Boundaries

The Taveuni Women Empowerment Support Group has taken a bold and values-driven step in advancing gender justice by intentionally expanding its space to include Tom Fisher as its first male member, demonstrating that feminist organising is not about exclusion, but about dismantling harmful gender norms and power imbalances.

Fisher, 56, originally from Ucunivatu in Taveuni, joined the group in early 2025 following an invitation from his friend Dolores. While the group has historically been a women-only space created to address systemic gender inequality, this decision reflects the group’s feminist commitment to inclusion, accountability, and shared responsibility for gender justice, without compromising women’s leadership.

“I’ve always been honest and being straight with them that I am gay,” Fisher shared. “The women were comfortable with me, and I was comfortable working alongside them.” His acceptance reflects feminist principles that recognize how multiple forms of marginalization intersect, and how solidarity across identities can strengthen collective empowerment.

Importantly, Fisher’s inclusion does not dilute the group’s purpose. Instead, his role is clearly defined in service of women’s economic empowerment. Drawing on his background in Fiji’s tourism industry as a wedding planner, he contributes technical skills in floriculture and floral design, knowledge that supports women-led income-generating activities.

“I’ve always loved flowers,” he said. “Planting and arranging them is something I learned at home with my sister, and now I’m sharing those skills with the women.”

Within the group, Fisher supports flower planting and care, assists with reporting, and contributes to livelihoods work, while women continue to lead decision-making and direction. His willingness to share skills and step into a supportive role reflects the kind of allyship feminist movements call for, one that listens, contributes, and does not dominate.

Beyond the group, Fisher is active in mentoring youth, supporting small-scale community fundraising, and contributing to health and environmental initiatives. His work reinforces the feminist understanding that gender equality is collective work, and that men have a role to play when they act in solidarity with women-led movements.

With the support of Women’s Fund Fiji, the Taveuni Women Empowerment Support Group is practicing gender-transformative feminism at the community level, challenging rigid gender roles, centering women’s leadership, and creating space for inclusive, accountable allyship.

Ends