Equaling the playing field in rugby

Press Release

UN Women

Suva, Fiji

Friday, 4 November

Equaling the playing field in rugby

When the Fijiana 15s ruby team takes to the field this Saturday against Papua New Guinea they’ll be trying for two goals: a test match win, and kicking gender inequality to the sideline.

And UN Women will be backing them in their efforts on and off the field in the start of a new partnership, says UN Women Multi Country Representative Aleta Miller.

“This is a hugely significant game for the team and for UN Women, as not only is this the first time UN Women has partnered with Fiji Rugby Union to support women in sport, but it is the first test match the Fijiana 15s have played since 2006 and the first time at home,” says Ms Miller

Ms Miller says sport has some made some headway in tackling the inequalities which exist between male and female athletes, but there is still some way to go.

“Women and girls are often given fewer opportunities in sport, less investment and media coverage and there are huge pay gaps at the professional level. But, we are moving in the right direction and this is why we are backing the Fijianas 15s and the exceptional work being done by the Fiji Rugby Union to use rugby as an avenue to address gender equality in Fiji.”

In a traditionally male dominated sport women and girls can also sometimes face discrimination from the community for playing rugby.

“Women have been playing 15s since 1999 and they have overcome some hurdles to get where we are today and we are proud of what all Fijiana players have achieved for women in the sport, and with the support of UN Women we can do more,” says captain of the team Lailanie Burnes.

“We are a talented team with exceptional players who are a testament to what women can achieve in rugby when they play with passion, commitment, discipline, determination and in solidarity with their sisters.”

Fiji Rugby Union CEO, John O’Connor thanked UN Women for their contribution and assistance to the preparation of the team.

“This is a new team and we are grateful to UN Women coming on board to support the team. We also thank UN Women for their support and partnership in the development of women’s Rugby in Fiji,” says Mr O’Connor.

The Fijiana 15s coach, Seremaia Bai says Saturday’s game is crucial for the team and the country.

“We want our team to win on Saturday not just for the glory and to keep our rugby world cup dreams alive, but to highlight the positive impact sport can have for our communities and how Fiji national women players are role models for us all,” says Mr Bai.

“Through sport we can equal the playing field between men and boys and women and girls so all of the Fiji’s exceptional sport talent is celebrated and skills learnt through sport can have positive flow effects for our schools, workplaces, villages and homes.”

The new partnership between UN Women and the Fiji Rugby Union focuses on reducing gender inequalities through sport aligning with UN Women’s global commitment to supporting girls and women in sport to become healthier, stronger, more confident and empowered. Sport is recognised as a way for women and girls to learn leadership, mentoring, and team skills which can easily be translated into other areas of their lives.

The Fijian national women’s team will play Papua New Guinea on Saturday, 5 November at 3pm at the ANZ National Stadium.

For further information please visit:

asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/countries/fiji
www.facebook.com/unwomenpacific
www.twitter.com/unwomenpacific

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

About UN Women and the Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Fiji

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) was created at the July 2010 United Nations General Assembly. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. The MCO covers 14 Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs): Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The Fiji MCO works with four key programmes: Women’s Economic Empowerment; Ending Violence Against Women; Advancing Gender Justice in the Pacific; and Increasing Community Resilience through Empowerment of Women to Address Climate Change and Natural Hazards Programme to progress with gender equality and women’s empowerment in the Pacific.

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