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A collection of stories and articles authored by Samantha Rina and a few that capture her achievements.

The Fiji Times •

The long, cold walk in the dark

At 3am, while most of Fiji still sleeps, Vani Sulua and her husband begin their trip to the market. In the darkness, they wade through the cold Wainimala River, lifting sacks of root crops and vegetables above the water to keep them dry. At the riverbank, they try to stay warm as they wait for the carrier that will take them into town, a routine that has become their only way to earn a living. From Nasivikoso Village in Magodro, Ba, Vani, 31, now lives in Waibasaga, Wainimala, in Naitasiri with...
The Fiji Times •

New research calls Fiji’s GBV response a ‘failure’

FIJI’S national response to gender-based violence (GBV) has failed to stop the killings, with 57 women now dead at the hands of their partners or spouses. This was among the confronting findings revealed in new research by Avelina Rokoduru, a Doctor of Philosophy candidate at the University of Otago in New Zealand, who says the four-decade-long GBV strategy must be urgently reviewed. “Despite four decades of national, regional and international response, GBV especially in the form of intimate pa...
The Fiji Times •

ACHIEVEMENT | The woman who served 16 top diplomats

WHEN Lusiana Kausoqo first walked into the Australian High Commission in 1982 for a job interview, she was crippled with fear. It was the woman who was coaxing and guiding her at the elbow - her employer at the time, Penny-Ana Urwin - who was adamant that Ms Kausoqo, then 25, would complete the interview process. “I was very nervous and scared that day,” said Ms Kausoqo. “I had never been to a massive house like that.” At 68 years of age, Ms Kausoqo – known as Lusi to many – has served at least 1...
The Fiji Times •

Fix the water crisis, Government urged

FIJI is facing a water crisis and the Government must commit to fixing water issues experienced around the country. In a statement by the Non-Governmental Organisation Coalition on Human Rights (NGOCHR), group chair Shamima Ali called for urgent action to address the crisis. “For women, the water crisis is personal,” she said. “They are responsible for finding a resource their families need to survive – for drinking, cooking, sanitation, and hygiene. “They may stand in line and wait for water, t...

Unity in Diversity

Words stumbled, faltering in their attempt to convey the depth of emotion that settled over the Victoria Lounge of Fiji’s Grand Pacific Hotel on the morning of 28 February 2024. In the eyes that had held smiles amid the formalities of the inaugural planning meeting for the Pacific Traditional Leaders Forum, tears now glistened in their place; and the moment of farewell hung heavy in the air. But it was the excitement of rediscovering connections and the warmth of new friendship founded on bonds of the past that held strong hopes for the future.
The Pacific Community •

From silence to strength: Transforming our Blue Pacific through legislation

The culture of silence usually associated with domestic violence has meant that for generations, Pacific women and children were trapped in cycles of abuse without redress. Gender inequality has been reinforced by harmful cultural norms and limited access to resources and information. These have all contributed to our region’s persistently high rates of domestic violence. The winds of change continue to sweep across our Blue Pacific; we are a region that today recognises the importance of and ne...
The Pacific Community •

A reawakening of cultures

In the Pacific, our culture is our identity; one that comprises spiritual faith and customary beliefs and practices. We have a unique variety of languages and art including storytelling, chants, poetry, songs, dances, attires and handicrafts that highlight the diversity of culture in each country, province and village. For a region whose cultures are people-centred, with in-person interaction and engagement critical to many expressions of culture (notably ceremonies), one of the key challenges faced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has been social distancing requirements and limitations to group gatherings.
The Pacific Community •

Breaking barriers for LGBTQI human rights

Women and girls across the Pacific region experience some of the highest rates of sexual, physical, psychological and economic rates of gender-based violence (GBV) in the world. Also subjected to high rates of GBV are lesbian and transgender women, although they receive the least attention. In most Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), the equality and rights of all citizens are enshrined in constitutions however, significant inequalities continue to exist for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) persons. While some of our cultures recognise gender diversity, others uphold the fundamental right of freedom of expression.
PHAMA Plus Program •

Fostering unity to promote sustainable forestry and safeguard Pacific livelihoods

From protecting sawn timber exports, saving coconut industries from an aggressive strain of the coconut rhinoceros beetle and supporting the revival of sandalwood exports, forestry is an important area of work for the PHAMA Program. At the core of its support for its forestry-related activities, PHAMA has always strived to ensure its approach promotes sustainable forest management practices. On 21 March, PHAMA joins the world in celebrating the International Day of Forests.
PHAMA •

Chocolates, volcanoes and women in cocoa – PHAMA

International Women’s Day is observed every year in recognition and celebration of women around the world. This year, the International Women’s Day 2019 #IWD2019 campaign theme of #BalanceforBetter is a call to action for driving gender balance across the world. The following article highlights the achievements of two women who are making a difference in their communities with support from the PHAMA Program (now known as PHAMA Plus). When Nestle introduced its new volcanic edition of KitKat cho
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