AS women across the country gather to celebrate International Women’s Day, Shobna Devi’s journey stands out as a powerful example of resilience, highlighting the achievements of returned women workers under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.
Originally from Taveuni and now residing in Centrepoint, Suva, Mrs Devi travelled to Australia in 2015 in search of better opportunities.
There, she worked as a hotel cleaner and took on physically demanding duties, including cutting plants and grass, cleaning accommodation, trimming hedges and picking grapes.
The work was not easy, but she embraced every task with determination.
“My husband passed away, so I needed to earn money for my children’s education and to support my family,” she said.
Leaving her children behind was one of the hardest decisions she had to make, yet her resolve never wavered.
“I went there with a goal, and I’ve achieved it.”
Upon returning home, she purchased a house in Suva and ensured her children completed their education.
Today, they are grown, married and employed, with one based in Brisbane.
“Now I am very happy. My children are settled, and I am proud of what I have done for them.”
With her children now independent, Mrs Devi has opened her home to nine university students who are staying with her while completing their studies, acknowledging that rent in Suva is expensive.
Sharing her message ahead of International Women’s Day, she is encouraging women to recognise their strength.
“We should not think we are only meant for housework. We can work anywhere. We can do jobs men do.”
“Whatever we decided to do, we can achieve it.”
