FICA to focus on identifying issues

Source: The Fiji Times
Author: Meri Radinibaravi

Fiji Institute of Chartered Accountants (FICA) Women in Leadership series 2024 will focus on identifying issues facing women's advancement in accounting, finance and leadership roles.

A statement from FICA said this was due to the lack of women in senior accounting and finance positions but it was essential to consider that women and men often approach life differently, including their careers and the workplace.

FICA celebrated International Women's Day and launched its Women in Leadership series 2024, and Women's Senior Executive Training Program at the Shangri-La Yanuca Island on March 8. Assistant Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection Sashi Kiran and FICA president Rajeshwar Singh attended the one and a half day technical workshop with distinguished speakers, delegates, FICA members and non-members.

Mr Singh said the workshop had almost 60 per cent women participation and FICA recognises the need for more women in leadership in all fields.

He said the Professional Development and Women's Initiative Committee at FICA has an important mission to promote an environment conducive to equal opportunity and engagement of both males and females with a focus of advancing women to leadership positions while having successful and desirable work life balance.

He said if an organisation wanted to retain their talented female employees and all professional staff all differences should be considered seriously Mr Singh also said since the launch of the Women in Leadership series in 2019, the organisation has seen a tremendous growth in membership category by female.

In 2019, there were 332 female members and as of December 2023 it had grown to 450.

Ms Kiran, while addressing the workshop participants, spoke on the challenges women face when entering the workforce, particularly after marriage and childbirth.

She emphasised on the lack of social support for women dealing with postpartum depression and changing bodies, and the importance of mental health support in workplaces as highlighted to promote diversity in leadership.

She also highlighted the need for inclusion and opportunities for young individuals and emphasised that detailed planning and organisational skills are inherent in many women, while also urging women to recognise these skills as valuable in professional settings.