Date: 08 Jan 2026
Redefining Women’s Leadership in Lami
When Taufa Qoro first joined the Women in Leadership Pipeline Program, a partnership between Balance of Power and the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS), she didn’t imagine how deeply it would transform her.
“I joined at first just to be a member,” Taufa recalled. “But as I went through the sessions, I realised it wasn’t just about being part of a program. It was about discovering who I am and what I can do as a woman leader.”
Taufa’s leadership journey began long before the program. Living in Lami, she had been serving her community tirelessly by supporting women, youth, people with disabilities, and the elderly. But she often felt that her voice wasn’t strong enough in spaces dominated by men. The Women in Leadership Pipeline changed that.
“Before, I used to be shy,” she said. “But now, when I’m called to speak, I stand up and I speak with confidence. I’ve learned to listen to others, to understand their struggles, and to lead with empathy and courage.”
Taking up leadership as a woman was not easy. Taufa faced resistance and criticism, especially when she began implementing new bylaws in her community. Some men questioned her authority, others hurled insults, and even a few women doubted her place as a leader.
“There were nights I cried,” Taufa shared. “People swore at me, called me names, and told me I didn’t belong. But I told myself they are human, and I will not respond with anger. I prayed and kept going.”
Despite the hostility, she stood firm. Her strength inspired other women and youth to rally behind her. “They told me, ‘Speak, speak, don’t stop.’ Their faith in me gave me strength. Now, we stand together as a team of women united for change.”
Taufa’s leadership is practical and people centered. Under her guidance, the community has secured clean water tanks, rubbish bins, and streetlights through partnerships and local fundraising. She continues to advocate for better roads, bridges, and an evacuation center for flood-affected families. She has also started mentoring other women, assigning them to lead different projects turning them from participants into decision-makers.
“I no longer hold everything myself,” she said. “Each woman now leads a project. I just coordinate. Leadership is about giving others the chance to rise.”
Through the program, Taufa also applied her learning to address land issues by engaging landowners, organising community meetings, and promoting peaceful dialogue. She believes these initiatives would not have been possible without the confidence and structure the Women in Leadership Pipeline gave her.
She also works to support school dropouts through a “Back to School” drive, engages young mothers through partnerships with ‘Young Lives Fiji’, and encourages youth to make positive choices through sports and cultural programs.
Faith has been Taufa’s anchor throughout her leadership journey. “Even when I’m not paid, I know God is watching,” she said with a smile. “He sees the work we do for others. That’s enough for me.”
She credits her husband and children for standing beside her through the difficult moments. One of the key turning points for Taufa was her participation in the 2024 Fiji Women’s Mock Parliament, supported by Balance of Power, which gave her firsthand experience of what it means to lead and influence decision-making at the national level. These experiences helped her imagine herself in political and decision-making spaces, something she never thought possible before.
“I used to think politics wasn’t for me,” she said. “But one of the trainers told me, ‘See you in Parliament.’ That stayed with me. Now, I’m preparing to stand for national elections – not for power,
but to bring the voices of women and our communities into the decisions that affect us.”