It is not a political gimmick.

Empowering women and bringing about gender equality is a concept Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has been practising for a long time, even before his entry into politics.

Lieutenant Commander Silipa Tagicaki Kubuabola said PM Bainimarama was the Commander of Republic of Fiji Military Forces Naval Division when she joined in 1997.

“He encouraged me and told me that it was his vision to have more women in the Navy. So his push for gender equality and women empowerment is no political gimmick,” she said.

Ms Kubuabola was recognised during World Maritime Day yesterday for her service in the maritime community.

She is the highest ranking woman in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Fijian Naval Division.

Ms Kubuabola said she had returned from finishing her law degree in Tasmania and wanted to do something different. There was an opening with the Navy and she gave it a go.

“I had applied for the legal appointment. The Commander told me that I would have the job but would have to do the hard yards, the whole village training for three months at the Force Training Ground,” she said.

“I was lucky that time as fellow lawyer Ana Rokomokoti was also enlisted. She chose to join the Army.”

Ms Kubuabola’s contribution to the maritime sector is immense. She is perhaps the utmost authority on maritime legal matters in the nation and acts as an advisor to the government on such matters.

She lost her husband Ratu Mikaele Kubuabola in January last year. He was shot while on business in Africa.

Ms Kubuabola said the Navy also provided her with strength and she had no hesitation calling on women to join.

“Women can contribute immensely towards nation-building,” she said.

“Take up the challenge.”

Edited by Percy Kean

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