Achieving An Equal Future In A COVID-19 World – Choose To Challenge: Naucukidi
Women in Rugby are here to stay, we are the change, take the torch, be the light and let’s leave a legacy.
Fiji Rugby Union women’s development manager Adi Vela Naucukidi made those remarks while officiating during the International Women’s Day at the Churchill Park, Lautoka yesterday.
She also acknowledged the Junior Rugby Club Mothers from Lautoka’s Vitogo, Topline, and Nadi – Jetset, Western Marine, Evergreen Dratabu, and Saunaka.
Naucikidi said their contribution towards Rugby in this region through their commitment, passion in growing the sport, and always standing by them in solidarity during the new norm and all the challenges that came with it.
“Let’s continue to share our stories, in all their tangled, damaged glory. Let’s continue to stretch and push boundaries; and tackle, ruck it, scrum and run till we reach the Try line,” she said.
“If there was a time for a change, it’s this time, and if there is a time for action, I would say it is now.”
Naucikidi added although the challenges pertaining to women empowerment would not vanish overnight, the emergence of effective women-leadership during the COVID pandemic had presented us with strong role models.
“This pandemic and the transition to the new normal is an excellent opportunity for us to stop and reflect on the status of women in rugby, to explore ways to strengthen women’s participation, and most importantly, promote gender equity.
She added that the last 12 months had not been an easy one by any means. The fact that words like new normal, quarantine, social distancing, has become part of our everyday vocabulary said enough of last year.
“In the quest to beat the pandemic, inequalities became visible, unfortunate social events have come to the fore, we closed our borders, a lot of our family members and close friends lost their jobs and you showed hope and support with the little that you have assisting Fiji Rugby to continue on with games every weekend here in the west and making rugby a safe space for young girls and boys during the new normal,” she said.
