Venina Rakautoga – Fiji
Venina T Rakautoga is a trailblazer for women’s rights in the Pacific. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Sociology from the University of the South Pacific, she now serves as a Women’s Rugby Media Officer at the Fiji Rugby Union’s headquarters. Venina’s rise to becoming a media officer in a male-dominated field is an inspiration to many young women aspiring to follow in her footsteps.
Since childhood, Venina has witnessed how sports unite communities, but she has also seen how traditional male-dominated cultures restrict women’s participation in sports. That’s why Venina is committed to breaking the stigma surrounding women and rugby in Fiji. She aims to create educational programs, community awareness, and strategic marketing to expose the benefits of women playing the game. Venina believes that educating the next generation of rugby players and administrators is the key to breaking down these barriers and opening the door to even more women’s participation in rugby.
During her Pacific Women’s Leadership Program, Venina wants to network with regional female leaders to learn from their experiences, gain new insights, and build relationships. Her primary goal is to use the knowledge she acquires in the program to uplift women’s rugby in Fiji, creating opportunities and breaking down cultural barriers. Venina’s passion for her project and fierce drive and determination ensure that her journey will inspire many young women in Fiji and beyond.
Venina’s work does not solely exist within the realms of her job. She has actively participated in community development programs to uplift women through sports, including rugby, in Fiji. She has worked on initiatives to create awareness of the benefits of rugby for women’s physical and mental health, social inclusion, and economic empowerment. Venina’s tireless efforts have resulted in tremendous success, with more women in Fiji signing up to play rugby. She has also helped to break down cultural stigmas by showing firsthand that women can excel in rugby and other sports.
