Fund welcomes new Steering Committee Members

Suva, Fiji – The Fiji Women’s Fund is pleased to announce the inclusion of two new women members to its Steering Committee.

Fund Manager Michelle Reddy said the Fund is excited to have on-board, powerhouse Cathy Wong and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) trailblazer Georgina Naguilevu as new members of the Fund’s strategic guidance body.

Cathy Wong is no stranger to humanitarian work, medicine, and sport in Fiji and the Pacific.  A Humanitarian Scientist and Physiotherapist by profession, Cathy owns and manages the largest private rehabilitation centre in Fiji. She has held a number of director and management positions on both National and Regional Boards in sport and medicine. Cathy has served on the Board of the Fiji Red Cross Society from 2013 – 2016 and is recognised throughout Fiji as a face of community service and volunteerism. Cathy was notably the first woman appointed to the Board of Oceania Rugby in 2018 and is currently a Council member of World Rugby.

 “As an organisation responsible for the enhancement of “women”, I see the parallel that sports can offer in this space. Sports cuts across all boundaries and has a place in promoting peace, building prosperity, developing partnership, safeguarding the environment and sports is about “people. I also saw this appointment as an opportunity to build partnerships with non-sporting organisations and how together we can build an equal opportunity playing field for Women in Fiji.”

Georgina Naguilevu has over 11 years of software development experience in the ICT field across multiple industries and a Senior Manager at the HFC bank where she oversees Applications, Projects, and Innovation. Putting her ICT knowledge and skills to use, Georgina co-founded the Mobile Me Mappathon App – a community project in partnership with the Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation that locates facilities on the road, pavements and footpath within pilot sites in Suva accessible for persons with disabilities.  Georgina currently holds membership in the International Centre for Democratic partnerships, Fiji Institute of Banks and the Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society.

“As a young professional and a woman living with a disability, I hope that through my participation with the Steering Committee that I am able to advocate for equal and inclusive opportunities for women. I would like to use my technical knowledge in ICTs to empower more women in digital inclusion projects.”

The Steering Committee provides overall strategic guidance and support to the Fund including the allocation of funds. It is comprised of representatives from the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT); the Fiji Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation’s Department of Women; the Pacific Women Support Unit; representatives of women’s CSOs and the private sector.

Cathy and Georgina replace Mere Roden of the Spinal Injuries Association and Tupou Vere (formerly of Oxfam). Steering Committee Chairperson Nalini Singh thanked both the outgoing women for their immense contributions and support to the Fund over the past three years and wished them well in their future endeavours.

About FWF

The Fiji Women’s Fund (the Fund) is an initiative of the Australian Government’s Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development (Pacific Women) Program. The Fund has committed AU$ 10.5 million from 2017 to 2022 for funding and capacity development support to women’s groups, networks, and organisations in Fiji to expand and enhance their work on women’s empowerment and gender equality.

For more information contact Communications Officer: Erica Lee, on +679 331 4410 or +679 331 4033 or email: erica.lee@womens.org.fj