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Women are under-represented in senior business management and in politics in Fiji but men should learn to support them, says Westpac Bank’s general manager Pacific Banking Jane Kittel.
She said this was same situation seen in many other countries around the world.
In Fiji, she said women made up just a fraction less than half its population and they had had to juggle a number of roles.
She said it was critical therefore, that men speak out in support of the contributions of women in the development of their families, business, community and even the nation.
Kittel made these remarks at Friday night’s 2008 Westpac Businesswoman of the Year award to recognise the achievements and contributions of women in business in Fiji.
She said the awards event created a platform that acknowledged the important role women played in families, in communities, public enterprises and in business.
“Our aim is that they act as a form of encouragement by publicly celebrating women role models, by sharing their stories and their achievements,” Kittel said.
However, she said all men in Fiji had an important role to play in ensuring a better society for all.
“To speak up in support of driving progress on gender equality issues by becoming champions for women both in the home, at work, in government and in the community,” Kittel said.
“And I say to all the men here tonight, whether you realise or not, everyday in some small way, you influence the lives of women around you, whether it’s your mother, your sister, your wife, your daughter. Whether it’s your employee, a colleague or maybe just a friend.
“So men, you have an important role to play,” she added.
Kittel illustrated her remarks with the story of her grandfather’s significant influence in her life teaching her to think big, to value a strong work ethic, to create an enabling environment for progress and not to differentiate the roles boys and girls played in society.
She also highlighted the influence all her male bosses had in her career.
“In addition to the roles each of you can and should play, I firmly believe organisations like Westpac have a role to play to help create the conditions, to help foster an environment where women and girls are allowed and encouraged to go on to achieve success,” Kittel said.
“Events such as this one play a small part contributing to this and I’m delighted Westpac is a part of it,” she said.
