INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY | Women at the forefront | 15 years of health and leadership at MSP

For 15 years, Medical Services Pacific (MSP) has placed women at the heart of its mission, delivering sexual and reproductive health services while empowering communities across Fiji.

With a female-dominated workforce of 23 staff members across Suva, Lautoka, and Labasa, MSP has become a trusted provider of HIV testing, family planning, pap smears, breast examinations, counselling and other essential services.

Clinical manager Sereana Bulivakarua said that women staff naturally extended their nurturing roles from home into the workplace, building trust with female clients.

“We were responsible as a mother figure, a mother figure in our family, and likewise in the various places where we worked, especially here at MSP, where the majority of women and girls had access to our services,” she said.

Over the years, MSP has also expanded services for corporate clients, providing workplace wellness programs that focus on women’s health.

Staff regularly travel to remote areas, where women face barriers such as distance, cost, and cultural sensitivities, bringing health education and services directly to their doorsteps.

Ms Bulivakarua stressed that the health and wellbeing of women staff were key to providing quality care.

“You cannot give what you don’t have. You needed to be well to provide better services and be a role model for women in our communities,” she said.

Legal officer Isireli Nasova said the critical role of women in leadership and frontline positions, particularly in building safe spaces for survivors of violence.

He said that many women in Fiji continue to face violence due to patriarchal social structures, relationship conflicts, and other social pressures and fear or hesitation often prevents them from seeking support.

“When women were the ones delivering services and support, other women often felt safer, more confident and more willing to access the care and assistance they needed,” Mr Nasova said.

Mr Nasova also reflected on the contribution of women leaders within MSP over the past 15 years, noting that women as country directors and project managers reinforced good communication, mentorship and innovation within the organisation.

“Empowering women within the organisation was critical because it fostered better decision-making, brought diverse perspectives necessary for innovation and ensured services were tailored to the actual needs of the communities.”

He said that MSP actively supported women in leadership and professional roles by providing opportunities for project management, community outreach, advocacy, training, and participation in stakeholder engagements with government and donors.

Empowering women through counselling

For six years, Karolina Baravilala had dedicated her life as a counsellor at MSP, helping women navigate sensitive health issues and make informed decisions that could change their lives.

Her work went beyond giving advice—it created a space where women felt safe, supported, and empowered.

“Counselling provided women with accurate information, support, and a safe space to ask questions about their health,” Ms Baravilala said.

“Through counselling, women understood their options, rights, and available health services, which helped them make informed decisions about issues such as family planning, nutrition, screening, and treatment.”

Last year, 947 women accessed MSP’s counselling services, reflecting the trust and reliance communities placed in female health workers.

Ms Baravilala said building that trust required more than knowledge; it required empathy, confidentiality and respect.

She listened carefully, reassured women that their concerns were valid, and ensured the environment was private and non-judgmental.

“Using clear and simple language and respecting cultural values encouraged women to speak openly about sensitive health issues.”

Ms Baravilala believed that counselling was a powerful tool for women to take control of their health and wellbeing.

On International Women’s Day, she reminded women that their health, voice and wellbeing mattered.

“Take time to care for yourself, seek health information, and support other women in your community. When women are healthy, informed, and empowered, families and communities become stronger.”

Through her years of work, Ms Baravilala has seen how a few conversations could transform lives, strengthen families, and uplift entire communities—proving that female counsellors were more than health workers; they were agents of change.

International Women’s Day Message from senior management team

Taniela Vinaka – Grants Acquisition and Accountability manager

“On International Women’s Day 2026, Medical Services Pacific (MSP) joins communities across Fiji in celebrating the achievements and resilience of women and girls, while reflecting on the work that still lies ahead. This year’s theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality.

Empowerment.”, reminds us that progress must reach every woman and girl, including those who continue to face barriers to health services, safety, and opportunity.

Through our work supporting survivors of gender-based violence, providing counselling, and strengthening access to sexual and reproductive health services, MSP sees every day the strength and leadership of women in our communities.

Today we acknowledge and thank the many women, within our organisation and across Fiji, who continue to care for others, speak up for justice, and help build safer, healthier communities for everyone.”