Disability not a barrier

At the 7th Women's Expo in 2025, Litia Naitanui, a spokesperson for the Rewa branch of disabled women, stated in an interview with this newspaper, "Don't focus on your disability, focus on your ability." The expo commenced earlier this week at the Vodafone Arena in Suva. This sentiment resonated deeply with attendees, emphasizing empowerment and potential.

Ms. Naitanui pointed out that most of the time, women with disabilities are simply content with their comfort zones, missing out on the opportunities and adventures that life offers. "Step out of your comfort zone, because when you do, you are showing other women what you are capable of," she said. "This applies not only to women with disabilities, but also to able-bodied women." This call to action encourages broader participation and self-discovery.

She stated that their participation in the 2025 Women's Expo aligns with another initiative called the "Regional Expo," and they were selected to represent their branch at this year's national Women's Expo. "Today we have four people here representing countless other members of our branch," she said. "We brought not only our own handicrafts, but also theirs, so everything on this table was produced by women with disabilities." This collective effort underscores the strength and unity within the branch.

She added, "There is everything from aromatherapy oils, traditional fans, hand-printed products to jewelry. And most of these products are made from recycled materials, which I call 'turning waste into treasure.'" Minister for Women Sashi Kiran, in officially opening the expo, stated that the expo is more than just a market; it is a platform for talented women, artisans, and entrepreneurs to showcase their skills. The Minister emphasized the importance of recognizing and celebrating the diverse talents present.

Minister Kiran said, "This is a space where women can expand their networks and gain capacity-building opportunities, which will enable them to thrive economically. This is a space where we not only celebrate their creativity, but also their resilience in overcoming challenges and breaking barriers." She further encouraged participants to learn, grow, and inspire others at the expo. She also stated, "I must say, there are a million tourists coming to our shores, so how do we transform these beautiful gifts that you bring into commodities that every tourist should be able to access, this is the conversation we must have here." This vision aims to integrate local craftsmanship into the tourism sector, creating economic opportunities for women.