Dialogue Fiji Prepares Upcoming Women Politicians

On 21 February 2025, Dialogue Fiji successfully conducted the Follow-Up Training Programme for Women and Youth Prospective Election Candidates in preparation for the anticipated Local Government Elections in the Central Division.

Among the key facilitators was Mr. Arnold Chanel, an experienced investor and campaign management expert, who played a crucial role in equipping participants with essential campaign strategies.

Mr. Chanel, who is also currently Duavata News' Acting Editor, is one of the few election and political campaign experts in the region, particularly in the 2018 winning campaign, which was his last official foray into this area, led a session on Social Media Campaigning.

Drawing from his extensive experience, he emphasized the importance of strategic preparation and proactive engagement.

"Be strategic and start preparing now, especially by building your profile and presence on media and social media," advised Chanel. He highlighted the unique challenges women face in politics, warning that "women are prone to being attacked when they try to run for leadership, so having thick skin is essential."

In his session, Chanel stressed the critical role of social media in modern election campaigns. "Remember, you are asking the people of Fiji to vote for you to lead us, so be a good leader and get your message through. Social media is critical, and you must be prepared for anything," he cautioned. He further predicted that the upcoming campaign would be "the craziest we have ever seen."

The workshop also featured a mock voting exercise facilitated by the Fijian Elections Office.

This exercise demonstrated the voting process, including polling station procedures, the role of election officials, and ballot box handling. Participants actively engaged in each stage of the voting process, gaining valuable hands-on experience.

A reflection and Q&A session followed, allowing participants to address key questions and share insights from the training.

Dialogue Fiji expressed gratitude to the Fijian Elections Office and Mr. Arnold Chanel for their invaluable contributions. Special appreciation was extended to all participants for their dedication and active involvement in this critical initiative.

The training was funded by Misereor, reinforcing the commitment to empowering women and youth in political leadership and governance.