Batiniqila’s pursuit of equality in the Fiji Navy

Sub Lieutenant Esita Batiniqila, 25, of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Naval Division, is someone who doesn’t back down when faced with risks.

This determination has brought her to where she is today.

Yesterday, she joined fellow women navy officers to celebrate International Women’s Day at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua.

After completing high school in 2018, Sub Lieutenant Batiniqila knew exactly what she was getting into when she joined the Naval Division.

Perseverance 

Between striving to stand out in a male-dominated organisation and facing competition among women, she never backed down from a challenge, always pushing forward to pursue her dream.

“The high school I attended was big on empowering women, and since then, I’ve always tried to think outside the box, which led me to join the Fiji Navy,” Sub Lieutenant Batiniqila said.

“My biggest challenge has been breaking the mindset in a traditionally closed culture, where we don’t always have the same standards as the opposite gender. We strive to challenge that every day,” she said.

Motivation 

She works with the Human Resource Department, where her tasks include human resources, career development, and allocating new staff, as well as overseeing the welfare of the division.

“I just want to tell the inner girl in me that I can achieve more than I ever dreamed,” she added.

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