11 Mar 2014

International award motivates Fiji politician

12:18 pm on 11 March 2014

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 was earlier threatened with rape threats when she announced she would stand for election and she says the experience of the other award winners has helped spur her on.

It was very humbling and very inspiring at the same time and I'm far more motivated that we need to do this not only for the women of Fiji, but (for those) of the Pacific and of the world.

Fiji politician Roshika Deo