International award motivates Fiji politician

Transcript

A Fiji politician and women's rights advocate Roshika Deo says she's been motivated to keep going with her campaign to get elected after winning an international award.

Ms Deo was one of ten women from around the world to receive the United States Secretary of State's Woman of Courage Award last week.

Among the winners were women from Ukraine, India, Afghanistan and Mali who have fought for human rights, women's equality, and social progress, often at great personal risk.

Ms Deo spoke to Sally Round from the United States where she is taking part in a study tour as part of the award.

Roshika Deo: One of the things that really struck me was that we are all from different parts of the world, very different contexts, but the kind of  issues that women face are the same: the inequalities, the patriarchal discrimination and isolation, the inaccessibility to resources and health care services and political participation, dictatorship. It's all the same. The systematic discrimination, the institutional discrimination against girls and women are the same. And that's one of the things when all of us were sitting and talking, that's one of the things that struck all of us.

Sally Round: And how is that going to help you going forward because you're standing for election as an independent this year?

RD: Yes, I think that being able to network with these women, learning from them. You know all of them apart from Laxmi from India (who survived an acid attack at the age of 16) were older women and having them share their experiences, some of the things they have learned, it was very humbling and very inspiring at the same time. I think one of the things for sure is that I am far more motivated and for me in the campaign it puts a much more global perspective. Violence against women and children is one of the mandates of the campaign.

SR: So it's given you more focus, more motivation going ahead? Because you had problems earlier, facing threats, even of rape as you announced your candidacy. Are those threats still going on?

RD: I don't know if it's still happening or not but I think from the information I've got from other people that are on Facebook forums and stuff, it's definitely lessened and there's far less attacks, especially after this award. The tone has changed. So it has made an impact more than I probably realise and can fathom at this stage. Apart from that kind of challenge that we face we also have a lot of economic challenges.

SR: With this higher profile that you've got are you getting people knocking on the door wanting you to join their party?

RD: Well to be honest even prior to this higher profile I had been asked by some of the parties to join them so that hasn't changed.

SR: Are you still firm on being an independent?

RD: Yes, for this election, yes. Definitely.