Esita K Fiji Rugby Union
Esita Karanavatu – Fiji
Esita Karanavatu, also known as Esther Karanavatu, is a dedicated single mother and leader in various spheres of life. As the Manager of the Ranadi Cup Champions – Nasinu Women’s Rugby team, she is the first female to join the Nasinu Rugby Football Union. Additionally, Esita has recently been appointed to the Board of Trustees for the Fiji Council of Social Services to oversee NGOs and CSOs in Fiji.
Esita works for International Needs Fiji, and as the manager of the Solo Moms Project, she provides economic empowerment training programs to single moms. With a goal to empower women in her community, Esita’s dream project is to develop a program that prepares young women for Life After Rugby. The initiative aims to create an environment that provides pathways for education and economic opportunities to enhance and strengthen the capacities of female rugby players. Through this program, Esita is striving to close the gender gaps in sports, advocating and implementing policies that ensure equal treatment and access to resources for both genders.
Esita’s upcoming project is called “Kit A Girl, Raise A Star,” where aspiring female rugby players who cannot afford their rugby kits will be provided artisan skills training. The participants will sell their creations from the workshops to buy necessary rugby kits such as boots, joggers, sanitary packs, and more. Esita’s team has a shortage of players, and she plans to target those players who come from families living below the poverty line and provide them with skills training that will help them sustain themselves beyond rugby.
In grassroots rugby, Esita has observed that women encounter significant challenges due to gender inequality in resource allocation and mobilisation. To address these issues, she plans on organizing gender sensitization and gender-based violence workshops within the Nasinu community. By confronting prevailing cultural norms, Esita aims to create a more inclusive environment for women in rugby.
Esita’s leadership, determination, and unwavering commitment to empowering women in her community serve as an inspiration. We eagerly anticipate following her journey as she completes the “Kit A Girl, Raise A Star” project and continues to champion gender equality in sports.
