Leadership begins at home for Moira Vilsoni

Women's leadership takes many forms.

For Moira Vilsoni, 43, it starts at home, where she is raising three daughters with an emphasis on discipline, hard work and service.

Ms Vilsoni, who has extensive experience in public relations and now works as a manager at WOWS Kids Fiji, says her greatest pride is seeing her children pursue their dreams.

The proud Rotuman, who is married to a man from Bau Island, Tailevu, is the mother of 22-year-old Anne-Marie Raduva, who is contesting the General Election as a Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) candidate.

Ms Vilsoni believes her daughter's political ambitions have been shaped by the people who have supported and encouraged her over the years.

For her, success is seeing her children achieve their goals.

"I always encourage my children to be better, be different than what we are," Ms Vilsoni said.

Anne-Marie's journey into public life began with climate activism, where she faced online bullying and criticism.

Ms Vilsoni said she understood the pressures that came with being a public figure and worried about how public criticism could affect her daughter.

"I know how unkind people can be when it comes to politics," she said.

"The first point of discouragement often happens at home, and I didn't want to be that obstacle."

Instead, she chose to support Ms Raduva while allowing her to develop her own views and voice.

"As parents, we need to create space for young people to lead," Ms Vilsoni said.

"We can't keep talking about youth participation if we're not actually giving them opportunities."

The mother and daughter share a belief that leadership should be rooted in service, empathy and community engagement rather than political rivalry.

Ms Raduva attended three secondary schools — Adi Cakobau High School, St Joseph's Secondary School and Swami Vivekananda College.

She said her faith and experiences had shaped her approach to leadership.

Her commitment to public service began at the age of 14, when she gained national attention through climate advocacy campaigns, including efforts to discourage balloon releases because of their environmental impact.

Those experiences exposed her to challenges facing communities across Fiji and strengthened her belief that young people should have a greater role in leadership and policymaking.

"It has always been a dream for me to contest the general elections," she said.

"Working with communities and understanding what our people need and want strengthened that passion."

Her interest in politics was further encouraged in 2020 while she was a student at St Joseph's Secondary School, when former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern encouraged her to consider a future in public life.

"I remember she said, 'Anne-Marie, you have our support and we believe in you,'" Ms Raduva recalled.

"Those words made me realise how powerful it is when people come together and push for change."

She said her mother's efforts to nurture her into leadership had also encouraged her to set an example for her eight-year-old sister.

"In 10 years' time, she'll be an eligible voter," she said.

"I want her to be confident in the leaders she votes for and confident in the leadership spaces we create today."

As more women prepare to contest elections, Ms Raduva said there was reason for optimism.

"At the end of the day, women candidates are all fighting for one purpose, and that's greater representation," she said.

"The women who came before us have paved the path, and now it's our turn to continue that work."

Her message to young women and girls is to believe in themselves, find people who support their growth and not be afraid to lead.

"Be authentic," Ms Raduva said.

"I may not have all the qualifications or experience, but I bring heart."

Ms Vilsoni echoed that message.

"If you see talent in your children, support it," she said.

"Be kind, encourage them and help them become the best version of themselves. You never know what impact they may have on the world."