Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran has called for continued mental health and wellbeing support for women serving in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
Speaking at the closing of a five-day RFMF Servicewomen Mental Health and Wellbeing Workshop, Minister Kiran said servicewomen worked in demanding environments while also carrying responsibilities within their families and communities.
“Supporting your wellbeing means recognising and valuing the whole person behind the uniform,” she said.
The workshop, held under the theme “Breaking the Cycles,” provided servicewomen with an opportunity to discuss trauma, mental health and healing, while building confidence to recognise distress and seek support for themselves and their colleagues.
Minister Kiran acknowledged the contribution of Fiji’s servicewomen to United Nations peacekeeping missions, humanitarian operations and disaster response.
She said their professionalism, courage and ability to build trust with vulnerable communities had earned Fiji international respect.
However, she said military service could come with a significant personal cost.
Exposure to conflict, danger and the suffering of others could leave deep and unseen wounds, she said, which could also affect families and relationships when personnel returned home.
“We cannot expect you to protect others if we fail to provide the psychological armour you need to protect yourselves and your loved ones,” Minister Kiran said.
She said mental health and wellbeing were essential to operational readiness, discipline, leadership and sustained performance.
The Minister also highlighted pressures that servicewomen could face, including family responsibilities, harassment, workplace discrimination, domestic violence and climate-related emergencies.
She said continued support was needed to strengthen resilience, leadership, peer support and early identification of risks.
Minister Kiran encouraged the servicewomen to continue their healing journey and help ensure every woman and peacekeeper had access to appropriate support.
She congratulated the participants on completing the workshop and thanked them for their service to Fiji.
