The new graduates of the 2011 Emerging Leader’s Forum join a growing and vibrant ELF Alumni of 64 members. The Alumni work in different fields and come from diverse backgrounds. These young women leaders have been involved in many of FWRM’s advocacy activities, including International Women’s Day celebrations, the 16 Day of Activism against Gender-based violence and International Human Rights Day here at home.
Internationally, Alumni members have represented Fiji at large human rights, youth and women’s rights conferences and events. These passionate young women continue to air their views on critical issues through the use of media, training and awareness raising campaigns.
“In ELF we inspire, we challenge, we learn from each other. We journey together as young women learning from women before us whose hard work and struggles have helped improve the status of women today so we could enjoy opportunities we have, women we have met that continue to challenge society, but most importantly we have also learned from each other. We have learnt to push boundaries together, to share the frustrations as we push for changes in our schools, workplaces, homes and churches. But ELF is not only about learning it is also about building relationships, building lifelong friendships. As leaders you need to make informed decisions so never give up learning, never stop asking questions, and never stop challenging”. Sandra Fong, ELF Pioneer
“I have become more confident as a person and it has helped me to believe in myself more – the whole programme was an eye-opener on women’s issues that are happening around the Pacific and the world. The information was enormous and I guess all the ELFs were like sponges trying to soak all that in. ELF program is designed for women’s empowerment – the information sharing is huge plus the whole program is free. I would say to the young women – ‘you have nothing to lose but heaps to gain”. Angelina Chand, ELF 3
“The ELF programme reinforced and nurtured my perspective and ideals on what it means to be a young Pacific woman living in a society where a young woman’s opinion tends to be suppressed and not expressed. I would encourage young women to invest their time and energy in the ELF program as they will learn and gain so much in a safe, nurturing and fun environment; it’s like getting a degree without the complexities of school fees and exams.” Paulini Turagabeci, ELF 3
26May2013